RUSTENBURG HERALD - BELA-BELA - The Public Servants Association (PSA) is appalled by the assault on educators at Bela-Bela High School in Limpopo on 17 October, which left educators seriously injured.
This follows an incident where learners who arrived late for school tried to force entry into the school premises.
They attacked and assaulted two educators who were monitoring late-coming learners at the school gate. These learners broke into the school premises through the fence and mobilised some learners who were already in classes to attack and assault the educators, leaving them with grievous bodily harm, leading to their hospitalisation.
These unacceptable actions are condemned, especially coming from learners who depend on educators tasked with instilling discipline and good morals in lear-ners. It is expected that at the prescribed time, learners and teachers must report for teaching and learning purposes. The PSA is concerned that the Limpopo Department of Education and parents show no interest in teaching and learning at schools when they are expected to put strict measures in place to eliminate such unruly actions by learners.
These incidents are now prevalent in schools across the province and are deeply troubling and unacceptable as educators play a crucial role in shaping the future of these learners. Educators deserve to work in a violence free, safe and supportive environment for them to execute their constitutional obligation. It is concerning that the overall learning environment can be negatively impacted by frequent incidents of violence, which have the potential to create a climate of fear and insecurity that is not conducive to teaching and learning.
The PSA urges the Limpopo Department of Education to develop and enforce clear policies on handling incidents of violence, ensuring swift and appropriate responses.
The PSA is aware of incidents where educators were suspended and some dismissed owing to effecting corporal punishment to ill-disciplined learners. It is regrettable that such acts are provoked by learners who have no respect for educators and have no shame about assaulting educators at schools.
The PSA will engage the management of the Limpopo Department of Education on this matter to find a solution to ensure the safety of educators in schools and to eradicate such violence.
