On the eve of National Youth Day, teacher union Sadtu says violence against teachers has led to increased levels of absenteeism. These attacks have been widely captured on social media and are contributing towards some teachers leaving the profession
It was a noble fight in June 1976 waged against the domination of the Afrikaans language in the classroom. Long after that fight was won and well into democracy the country still experience situations where pupils attack teachers.
A video circulating on social media taken in April, grade 10-12 teacher, Tiffany Hattingh is seen being assaulted by a pupil.
Hattingh says, “I was very scared when the book hit my back because I turned away; I always walk away in conflict. I was calling for help because I didn’t know how to deal with the situation. I felt disrespected, I felt hurt because I thought how someone can do that and think it is okay.”
The pupil is appealing her expulsion.
Leader of 1976 Soweto Uprising, Seth Mazibuko says, “After 1994 we left you guys without leaders, we rushed to parliament, we rushed for BEE and left you leaderless. The experience of what we are seeing today and we blame them because there is a disconnect with ourselves as your leaders,” says Mazibuko.
At least one educational psychologist says the violence is systemic.
Educational Psychology Department, Dr Tumi Diale says, “It starts from a child who comes from a violent home with the father or even the mother, and then it goes to the school because it started in this microsystem called the home and then society etc.”
The Education Department acknowledges there is a crisis.
National Department of Education, Elijah Mhlanga says, “Teaching has become a hazardous career. Right now in terms of the number of incidents happening we cannot even say because what about those that have not been recorded? As far as discipline we have a huge problem which needs urgent intervention or there will be no education left.”
Despite the incident, teacher Hattingh says she would never swap her chalk for anything else. But statistics says more teachers are leaving the profession saying they fear for their lives.
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