Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane. Photo: GDE/ Facebook.
Gauteng Education launches probe at Special Needs School over series of ill-discipline
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane strongly condemns all acts of misconduct, which seek to undermine the learning institution.
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane. Photo: GDE/ Facebook.
The Gauteng Education Department has launched an investigation at Hope Learners with Special Educational Needs (LSEN) in Westcliff in Johannesburg following a series of concerning incidents regarding learner ill-discipline and maladministration.
GAUTENG EDUCATION MEC CHILOANE CONFIRMS INCIDENTS
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said they are regrettably aware of two alleged rape incidents that occurred at the school. The most recent incident took place on Thursday, 26 October 2023, where a Grade 12 boy learner allegedly raped a Grade 4 boy learner at the school boarding facility. A previous incident took place on 14 February 2023, where a Grade 9 boy learner allegedly raped a Grade 8 girl learner.
“It must be noted that cases of sexual assault were opened with the police for both these incidents, and the perpetrators were suspended accordingly.”
MEC Chiloane
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MORE SHOCKING INCIDENTS AT THE SCHOOL
As a precautionary measure, the alleged Grade 12 perpetrator has been temporarily accommodated at a different school in order to write his final examinations.
“Our officials have been in constant communication with the parents of all affected learners, providing necessary support. Sadly, another incident took place on 14 September 2023, where a learner was hospitalised after fellow learners unlocked his electric wheelchair, causing him to lose control and sustain severe injuries. The incident is alleged to have taken place after school when the learners were reportedly playing around on the school premises. The learner in question has unfortunately not returned to school, and is recuperating at home, while the other learners were taken through necessary disciplinary processes,” MEC Chiloane detailed.
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“Another concerning incident involves a learner allegedly bringing space cookies to school and sharing them with his fellow learners. Educators reported this incident after noticing learners displaying strange behaviour. Subsequently, about 8 learners tested positive for drug usage, and the perpetrator was suspended,” he explained another incident.
WHY AN INVESTIGATION IS BEING LAUNCHED
In light of all these events, the Gauteng Education MEC said it is paramount to launch an investigation that will probe the circumstances of these incidents and hold possible individuals accountable.
“This action by the Department will be concurrent with police investigations into sensitive matters occurring at the school. We are hopeful the police will handle these cases with the sensitivity they deserve.”
MEC Chiloane
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“We strongly condemn all acts of misconduct, which seek to undermine the dignity of our learning institutions. Therefore, we are hopeful that this investigation will assist to uproot instances of ill-discipline and maladministration. Schools are urged to enforce their codes of conduct to deal with disciplinary matters, and learner ill-discipline will not be tolerated in our schools,” said MEC Chiloane.
