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Beating victim dies, teacher fired

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Image: via Shutterstock

A Mpumalanga teacher who allegedly beat a pupil so severely that the child died of his injuries has been fired, according to IOL. The province's department of education is facing criticism over the amount of time it has taken to dismiss the teacher:

  • June 1: The pupil misses school.
  • June 4: The teacher allegedly beats the pupil with a broomstick for missing school.
  • June 8: The pupil dies of his injuries.
  • June 15: The teacher is suspended.
  • June 18: The teacher resigns.
  • June 25: The teacher is fired.

It has taken almost a month for the department to reach this point. A government spokesperson said: “This simply means that this teacher will at no stage be employed in public service to work with children".

The teacher has been arrested, and will face charges relating to the death of the boy.

Corporal punishment is illegal in South Africa, despite many parents calling for it, as they are frustrated at being unable to discipline their children. Despite it being illegal, it is not uncommon for children in some schools to receive regular physical abuse at the hands of teachers.

Why did it take so long for the teacher to lose his teaching post? According the department, a teacher who resigns while suspended is "deemed to have been discharged due to misconduct". Despite the legal ramifications facing the teacher, critics are suggesting that the teacher's dismissal should have been immediate, as other pupils under his supervision risked the possibility of further violent acts.

The utimate cost

Those in favour of corporal punishment insist that is an effective way of punishing disobedience and teaching obedience, however, those against it suggest that it is tantamount to abuse- an accusation not unfair in this particular case, where corporal punishment ultimately became capital punishment.

Do you still think corporal punishment should return to schools?

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