Teacher accused of repeatedly hitting Grade 10 pupil with wooden plank - IOL

A Phoenix mother has opened an assault case after alleging that a teacher hit her 16-year-old daughter with a wooden plank at Havenpark Secondary School.

A Phoenix mother has opened an assault case after alleging that a teacher hit her 16-year-old daughter with a wooden plank at Havenpark Secondary School.

The school governing body says it does not condone corporal punishment, while the matter has been referred to the circuit manager.

Krishnee Pillay said her daughter, a Grade 10 pupil, had been in severe pain for almost two weeks after she was allegedly hit on her arm and lower back with the plank.  

She said her daughter returned to school on Monday but was still in pain. 

“The doctor said she had tissue damage, which could take between eight and 10 weeks to heal, and her lower back is still swollen. She can only take pain medication.” 

Pillay said the alleged assault happened when the daughter and fellow pupils were returning to class for a lesson.

“While walking to the classroom, they saw the teacher walk out. Some of her classmates went inside, while others, including my child, remained outside. When they saw the teacher returning, they began entering the class. My daughter and her friend, who were the last two, were stopped by the teacher and asked to wait outside. 

“After a few minutes, the teacher went to the classroom door with a wooden plank, believed to be from a desk. Without saying a word, she hit my daughter’s friend once and then struck my daughter on her left arm. She then struck my child more than five times on the left side of her lower back,” she said.  

The swelling to the left side of Teral Rampartab’s back after she was allegedly hit by her teacher with a plank.

Pillay said her daughter, who was crying with pain, asked the teacher why she was struck so many times. 

“The teacher then told her to return to where she had come from. She went to her form-teacher’s classroom and recounted what happened. She was given a chair to rest and told to return to class when she felt better.” 

She said when her daughter returned to class, she was still crying due to the pain. 

“The teacher asked her if she wanted a pain tablet, which my daughter declined. She then asked if she wanted a lift home, and she said no. The teacher also asked if she was going to tell staff in the office that she hit her, and my daughter remained silent.” 

Pillay alleged the teacher hugged her daughter and apologised before telling her to sit at the back of the classroom and put her head on the desk until she felt better. 

When the daughter returned home, she told her mother what had allegedly transpired and showed her the injuries.  

“My child told me, ‘Mummy, I won’t complain, but I am in too much pain’.” 

Pillay said when she was unable to reach the deputy principal, she contacted the chairperson of the school governing body, who subsequently arranged a meeting with the principal the following day. The teacher was also present. 

“The first thing the principal said to me was that I was accusing his teacher.” 

Pillay said the teacher allegedly denied that she hit her daughter child and a fellow pupil, who witnessed the alleged incident and was called as her, said she had not seen anything. 

“I was shocked, but I know it was not the child’s fault.” 

Pillay requested another meeting, this time with her daughter present.

She said the teacher yet again denied that she struck her child. 

“I stood up, banged the desk, and asked the teacher why she hit my child. That is when the principal started shouting that I was threatening the teacher. He then called for security and told the teacher to call her brother, who is a police officer. After asking them what had I done to threaten anyone, and I am not the one that should be arrested, I left. I then went to the police station, and opened an assault case.

“I am not going to sit back and overlook what has happened to my child. I am my child’s protector, but teachers are also supposed to protect them when they are in their care. I want some accountability so this does not happen again.” 

Lucy Govender, the SGB chairperson, said: “I confirm that this matter was reported to me by the parent of the child that was allegedly assaulted. I informed the parent that this is a professional matter which I will report to the principal which I have done. 

“The principal  has informed me that a meeting transpired between the parties involved and the matter is now being dealt with by the circuit manager. The SGB of Havenpark Secondary does not support or condone any form of corporal punishment or any form of harm to pupils,”  said Govender

The Department of Education did not comment at the time of publication.

Colonel Robert Netshiunda, a SAPS provincial police spokesperson, said a case of assault with the purpose to inflict grievous bodily harm was opened.

“It is reported that the victim was late to class and the suspect assaulted her with a plank,” said Netshunda. 

Vee Gani, chairperson of the KZN Parents Association, said the use of physical force against a pupil was not an acceptable method of discipline, nor was it an appropriate response to disagreement, disobedience, or challenging behaviour. 

“When a teacher physically assaults a pupil, the matter goes beyond ordinary school discipline. Assault is a criminal matter and can have serious consequences for the person responsible. A teacher is entrusted with the care, guidance, and education of pupils, and that responsibility carries with it a duty to act professionally and within the law,” said Gani. 

He said it was important that the allegations were investigated fairly and thoroughly.