School yard proposal ends in suspension

The Gauteng education department has confirmed that two pupils at a high school in Ekurhuleni have been suspended. 

It comes after the teenage boy proposed to his high school sweetheart on the school grounds last week. 

However, the provincial education department spokesperson Steve Mabona says the proposal is not the reason for their suspension. 

He says the Grade 10 and Grade 11 pupils' proposal was filmed and the footage shared on social media. 

Mabona says the children have been suspended for kissing and touching which is in violation of the school's code of conduct. 

"We have suspended the two learners at Tholulwazi Secondary School who proposed during an assembly. They started kissing and fondling, which is indecent. According to the code of conduct, they have transgressed."

The girl is 16 and the boy 18.

Mabona says the pupils appeared before a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday night. 

"According to the process, the children have been given an opportunity to write the exams which they have missed. They will likely come back for the final term."

Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi says such behaviour cannot be allowed at schools.