By Hajira Khota
29:09:2021

Video footage of a teacher kicking a toddler has Phoenix residents
calling for the principal of a crèche to be fired.

Following reports that his instructor molested a two-year-old boy, community residents gathered outside the learning centre to demand the principal’s removal.

Preshalin Pillay, the child’s father, said he noticed his child’s wounds when he picked him up from Just Juniors Academy Crèche. Pillay claimed he contacted the school after seeing the video of the toddler being kicked.

He has filed an assault charge against the teacher. He explained that this was not the first time his son had returned home bruised from school. The teacher informed the father that his son had scraped his nose, but she did not explain why the two-year old’s forehead was wounded.

Jonathan Annipen spoke to Radio Islam International; he says that this is an ongoing issue.

“Up to 13 cases this year alone”.

He found it upsetting that those supposed to be caring for children are accused of child abuse.

According to the KwaZulu-Natal Social Development Department, social workers have been dispatched to the preschool to investigate after other parents reported similar incidents involving their children. The Department will wait for the social worker’s report before deciding what action should be taken against the institution. Mhlabunzima Memela of the Department has encouraged people to come forward and help with the investigation.

Pillay stated that he would not allow his son to return to school. He also wants a detailed report on the educator and principal and procedures that would be implemented to prevent such incidents from recurring.

The teacher was dismissed after she failed to disclose the event.

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