TEACHERS RECOUNT CLASSROOM VIOLENCE

Learner points gun at teacher

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

TWO Cape Town teachers have shared harrowing experiences of gun violence and physical assault in schools. One was threatened twice by a learner who pointed an imitation gun at her, while the other was beaten with a chair.

Their testimonies come as Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube and Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, jointly launch the Collaborative Implementation Protocol on School Safety in Parliament, today.

The Cape Argus last month exclusively revealed that the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) received 50 reports of physical and verbal assaults on teachers since the start of the year.

The teacher who faced the barrel of the firearm twice by the same learner is currently receiving support at a mental facility and is fearing returning back to the classroom.

The teacher said she is still having nightmares.

"I was pointed with a gun by a learner in my class, a learner I teach. According to the school it's not a real gun," she said.