While schools are expected to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children to fully benefit from educational opportunities, teachers can sometimes be the source of a fearful learning environment in South Africa.
The abolishing of Corporal Punishment Act 33 of 1997 banned the use of corporal punishment as a disciplinary measure in schools. It has been 27 years, yet some learners continue to fall victim to corporal punishment at the hands of their educators.
Letlhogonolo Makgamatha (16), a Grade 9 learner from Tidimane Secondary School outside Mogwase in Moruleng Sandfontein village in the North West province, was allegedly beaten by his school principal with a plumbing pipe for forgetting a book at home. He suffered severe injuries leading to fractures which were confirmed after he was taken to about three different doctors.
The boy’s mother, Matshwenyego Makgamatha opened an assault case at their Mogwase Police Station and subsequently, the suspect was arrested and formally charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (gbh).
Thabang Sefotho, a neighbour, helped by booking therapy sessions for Letlhogonolo with the Department of Social Development.
“The school made no efforts to help this child deal with the situation, however the principal attempted to bribe the matter out of court by making means to take the child to the doctor,” Sefotho said.
Speaking to The Curriculum, his mother explained the misery that she’s faced with on a daily basis.
“My son does not want to go to school anymore because of the continuous abuse he suffers at that school. He once came back from school saying that the principal made him stand in front of other learners at the assembly and mentioned how he and I got him arrested and made his life as a principal difficult,” she explained.
Matshwenyego further highlighted that this and many other incidents are the reason why her son no longer wants to go to school, and his academic performance has deteriorated.
“He is no longer the Letlhogonolo that I know, although he’s attending therapy sessions, he’s still not fine. He has become a loner who wants to sleep all the time,” added Matshwenyego.
Sefotho elaborated further on the negative, emotional impact this incident has had on Letlhogonolo because the principal also allegedly threatened that the matter will not end by a mere criminal case opened and that he will take the matter further. As a result, the child lives in fear and refuses to even be sent to the shops.
On 22 March 2024, it was Letlhogonolo’s birthday and according to his mother, it was not a joyous day.
“His joy has been taken away from him; he is no longer the happy child that I know. At least now schools are closed, he will perhaps loosen up, but he told me that he is not going back to school when they reopen,” she said.
The North West Department of Education Media Communications Liaison, Mpatha Molojwane, said the department was not aware of the incident but added that they will be following up on the matter.
Government must take action for justice and care for that child