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corporal punishmentlatest news & developments
Basic education minister, Siviwe Gwarube. (Lefty Shivambu/Gallo)
ANGIE MOTSHEKGA

‘Aspects’ of Bela Bill will be implemented when signed into law, says education minister

Siwive Gwarube’s political party, the Democratic Alliance, has previously described the Bill as a threat to the autonomy of schools

  • Umamah Bakharia
3 min read
The persistence of corporal punishment has often been attributed to a lack of support for the ban among teachers. (Delwyn Verasamy, MG)
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT

Harsher sanctions sought against teachers who use corporal punishment 

Section27 has asked the South African Council of Educators to amend its mandatory sanctions policy to include rehabilitative and corrective measures for teachers who assault…

  • Umamah Bakharia
4 min read
(John McCann/M&G)
CHILD ABUSE

Hitting children is never okay!

Wise words are just as effective in countering unwanted behaviour in children, with none of the long-term effects of physical punishment

  • Rainer Ebert
  • Jackson Juma Coy
5 min read
Gauteng schools feel the pressure to place more than 700 000 primary and secondary school pupils.
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT

Section27 takes council of educators to court over corporal punishment

Two learners were hit over the head by two teachers, but they continue to work

  • Eunice Masson
2 min read
Children in Africa are exposed to violence such as armed conflict, with some children recruited as child soldiers. Photo: Stefanie Glinski/AFP
AFRICAN PARTNERSHIP TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN

Towards an Africa in which every child feels secure

Ending violence against children is one of the most important priorities, but it won’t happen without political leadership

  • Joan Nyanyuki
5 min read
(Graphic: John McCann/M&G)
BULLYING

SAHRC hearings: The lies and incompetence behind bullying and crimes in schools

Some principals do not have the skills to compile bullying reports; others fear being victimised. This has led to children battling the scourge alone

  • Bongekile Macupe
6 min read
(Graphic: John McCann/M&G)
ANGIE MOTSHEKGA

Educators only fined up to R5 000 for corporal punishment, SAHRC hears

Commission questions gaps in the law regarding corporal punishment and sexual assault

  • Bongekile Macupe
5 min read
The South African Council for Educators (SACE) has admitted that it has “systemic gaps” that can allow teachers found guilty of serious misconduct and subsequently scrapped from its register to still practice their profession. (John McCann/M&G)
CHILD PROTECTION REGISTER

Abusive teachers still slip through system, council for educators admits

The council told the Human Rights Commission that “systemic gaps” and weak controls mean teachers found guilty of offences could still be found in the system

  • Bongekile Macupe
5 min read
Pervasive: A video of Lufuno Mavhunga being bullied at school went viral on social media. She took her life a day after the incident
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT

Principals put lid on learner abuse

The Human Rights Commission inquiry into bullying and sex at schools in Limpopo has heard that some principals don’t report cases of a sexual nature that involve teachers and…

  • Bongekile Macupe
6 min read
An international children’s organisation has told the South African Human Rights Commission that teachers in Limpopo who have long been in the profession use corporal punishment because that is the only form of discipline they know.
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT

‘Teachers do not know better than using corporal punishment’

This was revealed on the second day of provincial hearings into bullying, corporal punishment and sexual relations between teachers and learners by the Human Rights Commission

  • Bongekile Macupe
3 min read
(John McCann/M&G)
CHILD ABUSE

You can’t beat discipline into a child

Children displaying aberrant behaviour have often been traumatised and require counselling

  • Ellapen Rapiti
5 min read
(Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
CHILDREN

Our children are killers and we need to change this

They learnt violence at home and in society which is marred by inequality and poverty

  • Carol Bower
5 min read
Learners at the high school held a peaceful protest on Wednesday morning ‘in support of the educator’ and they stated that the ‘incident was not race related’ according to the statement.
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT

Cape Town school to decide on way forward following video of teacher slapping pupil

The education department has asked the public not to conclude that the incident is racially motivated until the investigation has been completed

  • Mashadi Kekana
2 min read
Jiba was acting NDPP from December 28 2011 until August 30 2013. (Gallo)
CENTRE FOR CHILD LAW

Landmark moment for children’s rights in South Africa

The constitutionality of corporal punishment in the home will be determined by the apex court

  • Staff Reporter
4 min read
‘Let us be bold and accept our responsibility for instilling discipline and morality in our children,’ argue the writers.(Madelene Cronje/M&G)
CHILD DISCIPLINE

Instil discipline in schools but don’t break the pupils

Discipline in schools is about authority and leadership

  • Makubetse Sekhonyane
3 min read
An international children’s organisation has told the South African Human Rights Commission that teachers in Limpopo who have long been in the profession use corporal punishment because that is the only form of discipline they know.
BASIC EDUCATION

Discipline in schools: What the law says you can and can’t do

There is a difference between discipline and corporal punishment: one means teaching acceptable behaviours and the other intends grievous bodily harm

  • Timothy Fish Hodgson
6 min read
The South African Council for Educators (SACE) has admitted that it has “systemic gaps” that can allow teachers found guilty of serious misconduct and subsequently scrapped from its register to still practice their profession. (John McCann/M&G)
CHILD ABUSE

‘Spanking judgement sets a dangerous precedent’

Freedom of Religion SA on Monday said a high court ruling which ordered parents to no longer spank their children would set a dangerous precedent.

  • Amanda Khoza News24
2 min read
The South African Council for Educators (SACE) has admitted that it has “systemic gaps” that can allow teachers found guilty of serious misconduct and subsequently scrapped from its register to still practice their profession. (John McCann/M&G)
CHILD ABUSE

Should the government tell you how to discipline your children?

New research reveals complex relationships between harsh parenting and violence later in life for children.

  • Joan Van Dyk
4 min read
An international children’s organisation has told the South African Human Rights Commission that teachers in Limpopo who have long been in the profession use corporal punishment because that is the only form of discipline they know.
CHILD ABUSE

SAHRC recommends ban on corporal punishment

If Cabinet goes ahead with the process to enact the requisite legislation, it will be illegal for parents and caregivers to hit children.

  • Stefanie Rhrs
3 min read
Atiyya Patel says her school allows for Islamic and secular education to be taught under one roof
BASIC EDUCATION

Pupils Speak Out: Not all public schools have the resources that my school has

A 16-year-old Islamic pupil writes about her school experience, which is different from the average, and how we can go about changing education.

  • Staff Reporter
5 min read