TEACHER BEATS GRADE V PUPIL, FACES DISMISSAL

MBABANE – A teacher’s job hangs in the balance as he stands to be dismissed if accusations that he heavily assaulting a Grade V pupil at Phocweni Primary School are proven.

The Ministry of Education and Training has demanded a report from the school and police and a doctor’s report from the parent regarding the incident. The teacher, who is employed on a temporary basis, is said to have breached his contract. Principal Secretary in the ministry Bheki Gama said they were taking the matter very seriously and would not renew the teacher’s contract when it expires, unless his alleged conduct is proven otherwise.

Gama said the matter was being handled by the chief primary inspector and regional education office (REO).
He said they were expecting a detailed report regarding the incident, which would create grounds for disciplinary action and subsequent dismissal if proven.  Gama said this was not the first incident reported regarding the same teacher. He said corporal punishment in the country was banned.

The parent of the pupil stated that his daughter was disciplined harshly by the teacher for getting a sum wrong. The parent stated that the teacher’s behaviour was wanting, as he seemed to be dealing with anger issues.

Inspector

He said they reported the matter to the ministry and engaged with the chief inspector. According to the parent, the teacher was harsh towards their children. He said when engaging with the head teacher of the school, it transpired that he was dealing with some anger issues, which included that he was hired under a contract. Reached for comment, the Head teacher at Phocweni Primary, who identified himself as Shabangu, said they were aware of the matter and had engaged the parents of the pupil.

Shabangu stated that the incident was unfortunate and that the teacher did it in his own accord, without the knowledge of his office. This, he said, was an anomaly, and that they were hoping for a lasting solution. Asked whether it was the first incident involving the teacher, he said the complaint was not the first one, as another pupil also reported a similar incident. Shabangu said some of the teachers were struggling to embrace positive discipline, which was being encouraged by the ministry.  

He said they would have a meeting with educators to discuss the matter and also give guidance. “We were not even aware that corporal punishment was still being meted at the school, as it was stopped a long time ago,” said Shabangu. He said they would be compiling a report for the ministry, as they had been tasked with that responsibility. When reached for comment, the teacher said he had no comment as the matter was being handled in other platforms.

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