NewzA female teacher’s dignity was violated last month when a Grade 7 pupil at a Johannesburg primary school threw a container of urine over her in the classroom. The attack was the latest in a string of escalating incidents of violence at the Laerskool Generaal De La Rey. Teachers say school has become unsafe Teachers there are so concerned they summoned their union, the South African Teachers’ Union (SAOU) because they feel working conditions at the school are hostile and unsafe… and that the Gauteng department of education (GDE) has done nothing to help them.
The teachers claim an official from the department told them to “deal with it yourself.” SAOU spokesperson Dems Nel said the escalation in violence in schools and, specifically against teachers, was unacceptable. “The SAOU attended Laerskool Generaal De La Rey in Johannesburg this week to assist some of our members,” Nel said. “The school, staff and pupils have struggled with cases of pupils’ ill-discipline, which conduct has escalated to verbal abuse and threats and resulted in a teacher being thrown with urine by a pupil and another pupil bringing a dangerous object to school.
“Considering the extreme nature of the conduct of these pupils and the threats made to the teachers, the school approached the GDE for assistance.” Union accuses GDE of failing to protect staff Nel said the GDE has failed to address these concerns and has left the teachers to fend for themselves, with one official even stating teachers must deal with it, instead of offering support or assistance. The female teacher “is currently dealing with severe illness within the family and is already under great stress”, added Nel. “Horrible conduct like this only serves to further damage and place stress on the psyche of the teacher.
The effects of the pupil’s actions cannot be understated and the failure by the employer to protect teachers in their workplace must be addressed with the utmost urgency and seriousness.” Nel said SAOU has submitted formal grievances on behalf of its members at the school. “In the grievance, we require the GDE to address the hostile, unsafe and untenable working conditions as a matter of urgency,” he said. “We further request that an investigation be launched against the GDE official who made the unprofessional, unbecoming and callous remarks.” Gauteng education department confirms disciplinary action GDE spok…
It is beyond disgusting that a primary school pupil can throw urine over a school teacher in class – but it is appalling that the Gauteng department of education (GDE) has, apparently not only done little about the incident, but also about the greater state of near-anarchy in that school. The South African Teachers’ Union (SAOU) was called to the Laerskool Generaal De La Rey in Johannesburg after its members teaching there reported what they say is a hostile and unsafe working environment. The incident with the urine involved a Grade 7 pupil and took place in class.
The teacher, a woman, said she was shocked and felt violated by the attack, according to SAOU spokesperson Dems Nel. He said that, in another case of indiscipline at the school, a pupil had been found with a dangerous object. It goes without saying that this school is in a mess and that makes it difficult to understand why GDE has, seemingly, been dragging its feet when dealing with the situation.
Summary from source