mugwena maluleke

Sadtu General Secretary, Mugwena Maluleke, said they’re concerned about the increase in violent incidents at schools. Image: Facebook

SADTU concerned about increasing violence at schools

SADTU called on communities and parents, to be involved in schools in their neighbourhoods through the union’s “I am A School Fan” campaign.

mugwena maluleke

Sadtu General Secretary, Mugwena Maluleke, said they’re concerned about the increase in violent incidents at schools. Image: Facebook

The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) has expressed its ‘sadness and exasperation’ at the alarming increase in the number of violent incidents in schools since the start of the 2023 school year.

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SADTU SPOKESPERSON LISTS FORMS OF VIOLENCE AT SCHOOLS

The union said that the incidents of violence included bullying, suicide, stabbings, and shootings.

Sadtu general secretary Mugwena Maluleke said that at Geluksdal Secondary School in Brakpan, Gauteng, a Grade 10 pupil was stabbed to death, allegedly by fellow pupils.

“At Kagiso Secondary School, Gauteng, a man allegedly entered the school and took some staff members hostage.” He allegedly stabbed and wounded one of the teachers, and was subsequently shot dead by another teacher.

ALSO READ: School violence: Free State Grade 6 pupil STABBED to death

BULLYING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR MANY STUDENTS

Maluleke added that bullying was allegedly the cause of death of a 17-year-old pupil in KwaZulu-Natal.

“At Sonyongwane High School, southern KwaZulu Natal, a 17-year-old Grade 11 learner committed suicide allegedly because of bullying by her schoolmates. They constantly told her she was ugly and teased her about the shape of her head.”

At Ntsu Secondary School in Bethlehem, Free State, the school principal allegedly used corporal punishment on a learner. The student had allegedly skipped detention.

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SEXUAL ASSAULT AND HARASSMENT BY TEACHERS

Maluleke said at several schools sexual assault and harassment of pupils by teachers were still prevalent.

“This group of unprofessional sex pests continues to damage the profession. It is only counter-revolutionaries who can engage in this kind of violence against our children in our schools.”

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He said that these incidents indicate that schools are no longer the safe havens they are supposed to be.

Sadtu is calling for the creation of safe spaces for learners to confide in teachers about the issues they face.