AN EASTERN Cape-based children’s rights organisation has called on the department of education to probe a school after a pupil’s face was badly burnt by acid.
“The organisation is not happy with the manner in which this incident was handled by the school as it was discovered that the matter was not reported to the district and provincial offices of basic education,” said Khula director Petros Majola.
Majola said instead of reporting the matter, teachers had collected funds to pay for the pupils’ medical expenses.
“The teachers took Hola to the optometrist using their personal funds and paid for both the pupils’ medical expenses.
“Although we applaud the teachers for taking the initiative to use their own money, this does not justify their failure to report the matter to the education department and to the police.”
The organisation said it recently became aware of the incident when a community member called them.
Majola said they had since taken the matter up with the department’s superintendent-general, Mthunywa Ngonzo.
“While I cannot disclose our discussions at this stage, I am confident that the matter is receiving attention.”
The Daily Dispatch visited the school last Thursday, when Mabele was initially keen to assist.
He suggested the journalist ask for permission from the parents to speak to the children.
“I will not be able to comment as I am currently busy with the report required by the department regarding this incident, but I do not have a problem with you speaking to the pupils,” said the principal.
When the Dispatch returned to the school a few minutes later with Hola’s mother, Vuyokazi Hola, the school gate was locked .
The principal refused to release Vuyokazi’s son, saying it would interrupt school hours.
The principal, when asked to respond to claims that he was only reporting the matter now, said: “Clearly there must be some misunderstanding. We did report the matter, but we are only doing a formal report now.”
The Dispatch has been asking since last Thursday for comment from the education department but no response had been received at the time of going to print.
However, the department’s spokesman, Mali Mtima, spoke about the incident during a radio interview on Wednesday and said: “We have sent officials to the school to investigate the matter.” —
E Cape pupils burnt by acid
“The organisation is not happy with the manner in which this incident was handled by the school as it was discovered that the matter was not reported to the district and provincial offices of basic education,” said Khula director Petros Majola.
Majola said instead of reporting the matter, teachers had collected funds to pay for the pupils’ medical expenses.
“The teachers took Hola to the optometrist using their personal funds and paid for both the pupils’ medical expenses.
“Although we applaud the teachers for taking the initiative to use their own money, this does not justify their failure to report the matter to the education department and to the police.”
The organisation said it recently became aware of the incident when a community member called them.
Majola said they had since taken the matter up with the department’s superintendent-general, Mthunywa Ngonzo.
“While I cannot disclose our discussions at this stage, I am confident that the matter is receiving attention.”
The Daily Dispatch visited the school last Thursday, when Mabele was initially keen to assist.
He suggested the journalist ask for permission from the parents to speak to the children.
“I will not be able to comment as I am currently busy with the report required by the department regarding this incident, but I do not have a problem with you speaking to the pupils,” said the principal.
When the Dispatch returned to the school a few minutes later with Hola’s mother, Vuyokazi Hola, the school gate was locked .
The principal refused to release Vuyokazi’s son, saying it would interrupt school hours.
The principal, when asked to respond to claims that he was only reporting the matter now, said: “Clearly there must be some misunderstanding. We did report the matter, but we are only doing a formal report now.”
The Dispatch has been asking since last Thursday for comment from the education department but no response had been received at the time of going to print.
However, the department’s spokesman, Mali Mtima, spoke about the incident during a radio interview on Wednesday and said: “We have sent officials to the school to investigate the matter.” —
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