Advocate Chris McConnachi for Section 27 on behalf of the Centre for Child Law has submitted in the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in Bloemfontein that South African Council for Educators (SACE) sanctions fall short of the constitutional requirement.
Section 27 is appealing the High Court in Pretoria judgment, so that the two educators who assaulted two primary school learners be subjected to fresh hearings.
In one case, a teacher was charged with beating two Grade 2 learners over the head with a PVC pipe, causing physical and psychological harm.
In the second instance, a teacher hit a Grade 5 learner across the face, causing the child to bleed from the ear.
Both teachers received lenient sanctions from SACE and were fined R15 000 each with R5 000 suspended.
McConnachi wants the SCA to amend SACE policies to also serve the interest of learners.
Section 27 says there should not be a blanket approach when applying its mandatory sanctions policies.
🗣️ TODAY’S THE DAY! 🖤💛💙
✊🏾 We’re at the Supreme Court of Appeal today to represent the UCT Children’s Institute as amicus curiae in the matter of Centre for Child Law v SACE!
📢 See our joint media statement with @CIatUCT in the pics!#EndCorporalPunishment pic.twitter.com/2HIJjoq8K4
— Equal Education Law Centre EELC (@EElawcentre) February 26, 2024
