Middleburg – A video clip showing a teacher pulling at the braids of a schoolgirl in an attempt to cut them off with scissors has gone viral and prompted a scathing response from the Department of Education in Mpumalanga.
Commenting on the matter on Thursday, the department said it “condemns with the strongest terms possible the conduct of a teacher from LD Moetanalo High School in Mhluzi in Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, who is captured forcefully cutting the braids of a learner in class”.
Although the department said it was “not yet clear as to the facts” it announced that it was placing the teacher on “precautionary suspension” while it probes the matter.
The department said teachers were expected to conduct themselves appropriately and professionally as guided by their professional ethics and conduct according to SACE hence this conduct is deemed inappropriate.
“They are supposed to be mindful of the Bill of Rights and always act in the best interests of learners,” said the department.
“The learner and other learners affected by this unfortunate incident will urgently be assisted with psychosocial counselling by departmental officials to help them pull through this unfortunate ordeal.”
The department said it will also reflect on the school’s code of conduct for learners as part of the investigation process.
