School assault disturbing: Motshekga

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga is outraged over a Grade Eight pupil's attack on a teacher at Glenvista High School, her office said on Friday. 

 

"The minister is disturbed by the violent behaviour of a Glenvista learner and would recommend all of those present be given trauma counselling after this violent event," spokeswoman Troy Martens said in a statement.

 

"This incident must be condemned in the strongest possible terms and the relevant punishment must be meted out."

 

A video of the assault, which happened on Wednesday, was captured by a fellow pupil and went viral on Thursday.

 

The footage shows the pupil unsuccessfully trying to retrieve what looks like a school bag from the teacher at the school, south of Johannesburg. 

 

After failing to get it back, he hits and kicks the teacher, then throws a chair and a broom as the teacher walks out of the classroom.

 

"The student responsible, together with the other learners who were cheering him on should all be disciplined accordingly," Martens said.

 

Violence would not be tolerated in schools, from teachers, pupils, or their parents. 

 

"Corporal punishment is not an option either as this is a form of violence in itself," Martens said. 

 

Rather, parents and communities needed to share the responsibility of teaching children standards of acceptable behaviour. 

 

"Schools should not be the only place where children are taught morals as this should begin at home."

 

The South African Schools Act contained a number of policies around violence in schools, which needed to be implemented at provincial level, she said. 

 

-Sapa