Staff Reporter
Free State Education MEC Tate Makgoe has condemned the assault of a teacher at Setjhaba se Maketse Combined School in Botshabelo by a parent and his daughter.
A statement released by provincial education spokesperson Howard Ndaba says a father and his daughter doing Grade 11 arrived at the school in the morning and beat up the Physical Science teacher.
“We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the assault of the teacher in full view of the learners and teachers,” said Makgoe in the statement.
Teaching and learning was disrupted due to the incident described by the provincial education department as barbaric.
“The safety of our teachers and learners is paramount for conducive learning and teaching and is therefore non-negotiable,” added the MEC.
A case of assault has been opened at Botshabelo Police Station.
Also, according to the statement, the department has urged the school’s governing body as well as the provincial and district School Governing Body Council to publicly reprimand this parent for “this gutting and unbecoming conduct”.
Makgoe said provincial education department officials are expected to visit the school this Friday to establish the circumstances that led to the attack and provide psychosocial support to the learners and teachers who witnessed this incident.
The officials will also investigate the matter involving the learner and take appropriate action.