The Star reports that following the killing of a teacher by a learner in North West, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said this week that she would be calling a symposium to discuss violence in schools.  

It would include the SA Police Service (SAPS), the Department of Social Development and school governing bodies.  “It is unfortunate that, as a sector responsible for education, we have to deal with these types of incidents, often distracting us from our core business of learning and teaching,” Motshekga said.  She added that communities and parents should also take responsibility for what happened in schools.  The National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of SA (Naptosa) said more needed to be done to protect its members in schools.  President Nkosiphendule Ntantala said:  “Our union has been inundated with disturbing testimonials concerning the levels of violence against teachers in schools.  The country has also been witnessing a series of shocking videos showing violence by learners towards teachers.  Violence in schools has resulted in some teachers leaving the profession… we are of the view that the department can do much more to protect its employees.”  SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) spokesperson Nomusa Cembi said they had, for years, been calling on the department to ensure schools were safe.

• Read this report by Tebogo Monama in full at The Star
• Read too, Plea to protect teachers, pupils, at SA Labour News

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page