The Inkatha Freedom Party is appalled by recent incidents of teachers brutally assaulting learners and the barbaric act of a school principal and two teachers gang raping a school girl in KwaZulu-Natal.
“We condemn these acts in the strongest possible terms and express our sympathy with the learners concerned. While we view such incidents as barbaric and inhuman, we question why the KZN Department of Education takes so long to finalise investigations, bring charges and send such teachers to jail. If the Department take swift and decisive action and teachers are jailed, it will send a strong message to other teachers and principals that such behaviour will not be tolerated. It is of serious concern to us that other learners who witness such incidents stand by, laugh and video the assault. It would appear that having a teacher beat up a learner or rape a young child has become a source of entertainment for other learners. If that is the case, then we have reached an all-time low in our moral values,” said Mrs Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa MPL, IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Education.
“Children witnessing such behaviour from those who are supposed to educate them and prepare them for adulthood, will suffer emotional damage from a very young age. Such emotional damage is not something that can be easily erased from a child’s mind. Even though the Department might provide counselling for the children affected, the emotional scars will remain with them. It is often said that prevention is better than cure, therefore we call upon the Department of Education to protect our children from physical and emotional trauma while they are at school. We cannot have our schools producing learners who are emotionally troubled and expect them to lead normal lives. Young people with traumatic experiences at school will find it difficult to adapt in the broader social context. Our schools must be focused on producing learners who have positive attitudes after receiving a well-rounded education that prepares them for adulthood”, concluded Mrs Madlopha-Mthethwa.
Issued by:
IFP KZN Spokesperson on Education,
Mrs Thembeni KaMadlopha-Mthethwa MPL,
071 884 3844 / 079 114 3015
