Teacher assaults rise in W Cape

AS THE school year has come to an end, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has revealed that 96 incidents of learner assaults on teachers were reported to Safe Schools between January and November this year - with nearly nine educators being assaulted per month.

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

In June, the Cape Argus reported the harrowing story of a teacher at St Andrews Technical High School in Elsies River where a Grade 12 learner allegedly gun-pointed her in the classroom. The learner pulled the trigger three times, revealing that the gun was an imitation.

This week the WCED confirmed that the learner had faced disciplinary action while the teacher is battling to get a transfer.

The teacher facilitated her own mental health care with the help of a psychologist and said she continues to suffer from anxiety. She said she feels she is being victimised and her plight not heard.

The teacher, who is not allowed to speak to the media, spoke via a representative.

The incident took place in May.