Corporal punishment at school: what is your story?

Because she failed to complete her classwork, Siphokazi Tyalidikazi was beaten with a hosepipe by her grade 5 English teacher. It damaged a nerve in her right hand, leaving her unable to use her dominant hand and she had to relearn to write with her left hand. A case of assault has been opened.

In July last year, 19-year-old Paballo Seanne, the niece of Deputy Arts and Culture Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi, died after allegedly receiving 45 lashes for failing tests at a private school. This case is also pending.

Despite corporal punishment being illegal in South African schools, hidings are still prevalent across the country's schools. CEO of the SA Council for Educators (Sace), Raj Brijraj, said last year that corporal punishment is the reason most often given for complaints they receive against teachers. Around 9 teachers had been striked off definitely (temporarily suspended pending a hearing) in the financial year 2014/15 and some have been striked off indefinitely (permanently).