Assaults on teachers ‘remain underreported’

The union’s Basil Manual said most teachers feel embarrassed when they are assaulted by a pupil, which leads to a lack of consequences.

This comes after a grade 6 pupil from Primrose Primary School in Germiston shot and wounded his principal last week.

The 13-year-old pupil shot the principal after he instructed pupils to gather in the foyer to take out their workbooks to study.

“Teachers have been shouted at, scolded, threatened, slapped and shoved around because of fear sometimes of reporting it, but also there is the great issue of embarrassment to let their colleagues know and returning to class is hugely difficult,” said Manuel.

“Parents, police, the management teams at schools and the department must work together.”

CEO of the Federation of School Governing Bodies, Jaco Deacon, said there should be repercussions for misbehaving pupils.

“Parents can also be held accountable themselves if they are part of the problem. So, it's important to consider how you talk about the school and educators and to act if there is a complaint from the school. Cameras in schools and classrooms can also help a lot.”

ALSO READ: