It is with deep concern that the Top Management of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) have noted various media reports and viewed a cellphone video clip, which captured an alleged racial, violent and unsolicited assault between two learners in one of our schools.
From what appears on the video clip, one learner assaulted another learner in the classroom, with the full knowledge of some of his classmates, one of which recorded the incident and distributed it.
It further appears from the clip that the teacher was present and in full view of the incident, which occurred in the classroom. From the teacher's actions it appears that he did little or nothing to intervene in order to stop the fight. The teacher in question has been quoted in a local newspaper as saying he was "afraid that he would get hurt".
The WCED has received a formal complaint from the parent of the victim, and will be launching a full-scale investigation into the incident, and specifically on:
- What the reasons are why the classroom teacher failed to intervene in order to stop the fight and/or what steps he took to intervene; if not, why not?
- Whether the incident was brought under the attention of the principal, if so, what steps he took to manage the matter satisfactorily and/or to administer the necessary discipline at the school>
- Whether he principal, the teacher or any other person gave false statements to the department and the media in the execution of his or her duties
- To establish the motive for the attack
- Any other issues relevant to the investigation
Depending on the findings of this initial report, which is expected by no later than next week, the WCED may consider further steps against the teacher and principal.
Violence in our schools is a serious issue, and we would like to get to the bottom of this matter.
We are conducting this investigation in the context of Minister Naledi Pandor's request for provincial education department's to look into the culture of our schools, especially former model-C schools. The Minister has taken an interest in this matter and has asked WCED for a full report on the above incident at the Langenhoven Gymnasium High School in Oudtshoorn.
The incident comes at the very same time when an inquiry is under way in the West Coast, to investigate and offer recommendations on various issues in schools in the Saldanha municipal area, which includes allegations of racism. The Task Team was established I was invited by the community of Laingville in St Helena Bay earlier, to hear complaints of school-going children not attending school at the beginning of this year.
For Enquiries:
Gert Witbooi
Media Liaison Officer
Office of the MEC for Education
Western Cape
Tel: 021 467 2523
Cell: 082 550 3938Fax: 021 425 5689
Email: gwitbooi@pgwc.gov.zaVisit our website: http://wced.wcape.gov.za
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