Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News, 2013-10-17

Two learners have been suspended from Azara Secondary School in Lenasia after a teacher was beaten up in the classroom for trying to break up a fight between them.

However, it seems one of the parents of the learners is challenging the School Governing Body (SGB) decision while the Department of Basic Education (DBE) says it holds final authority on expulsions according to an EWN report.

The female teacher was allegedly beaten up and hospitalised after intervening when two grade eight learners starting fighting over a hat last Thursday (10 October).

Azara SGB member Ralph Smith said when the teacher tried to break up the fight she was attacked by the learners.

“The one pupil started hitting the teacher then threw her on the floor and punched her. Another teacher came in to stop the fight but they pushed that teacher away.”

Smith said the parents of both learners were called in to the school and told their children had been suspended, but the father of one of them is opposing the move.

“We spoke to the pupils and they admitted they did it but the father of the one child stormed out of the meeting.”

The DBE said the learners will face a disciplinary hearing and counselling is being provided to the teacher as well as her learners.

The SGB said the learners have been given transfer cards and will only be allowed to write exams.

This latest incident follows a 2010 attack on the principal of Azara, Mr. Maharaj who was chased out by learners.

“It’s a sad day for education in South Africa. I have been teaching for 41 years. In 2010 I was chased out of the school by rowdy learners and now this. Schools are deterirorating and teachers are scared. Education is on a downward slope,” Maharaj was quoted as saying in a local newspaper.