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The Select Committee on Education and Recreation welcomes the announcement by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Education Department that a letter of suspension has been served on a teacher at Umdlamfe Secondary School in Esikhawini‚ Richards Bay, who is alleged to have caned female pupils, as seen in a video that has gone viral on social media.

“It is worrying to the Committee that there are still teachers that practice corporal punishment, which was abolished more than 20 years ago. Such actions must be condemned and tough actions must be taken against anyone that continues to utilise this method,” said Ms Lungelwa Zwane, the Chairperson of the Committee.

Similarly, acts of violence against teachers must be investigated to ensure that teachers are able to teach in an optimal environment. “The issue of violence in general in our schools needs urgent attention from all stakeholders. The National Department of Basic Education must lead a process of intervention to resolve this crisis,” Ms Zwane emphasised.

The Committee will monitor the implementation of disciplinary processes against the teacher.

Issued by Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the Chairperson of the Select Committee on Education and Recreaction, Lungelwa Zwane