Mr GR Morgan (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:

(1) Whether her department is investigating the incident that occurred on 17 September 2008 at Xolobeni Junior Secondary School where members of the SA Police Service are alleged to have administered corporal punishment to learners; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details,

(2) whether the principal of the school will be removed if he/she is found to have been complicit in the incident; if not, why not; if so, what are relevant details;

(3) whether her department will offer counselling services to the affected learners, if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(4) whether she will visit the school to assure learners that the matter is being dealt with and it will not recur; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2638E

REPLY:

(1) The Eastern Cape Education Department’s preliminary report indicates that there are differences of fact and opinion in the statements made by the members of SAPS and the principal of the school. SAPS members say they searched for dangerous weapons and in the process forced those who resisted against the wall. The principal says the learners were beaten because they were violent and did not take instructions from him. The provincial authorities are conducting further investigations.

(2) The principal will be removed if he is found to be in contravention of the relevant legislation governing educators and schools.

(3) The Department will offer counselling services if there is a need to do so. However, a circuit manager visited the school on 24 October 2008 where she had an open session with the learners. There were no indications of traumatized learners unless they were absent from school on that day.

(4) I have delegated officials to visit the school.

Posted on December 11th, 2008
Filed under: Letters