Incident Overview
A Grade 1 teacher at Thembalethu Primary School in George, Western Cape, has been suspended after recording a video of a child who did not participate in a fundraising initiative known as ‘Pie Day’. During this event, learners were asked to contribute R40 to receive a pie and juice.
The video depicted a child covering their face while sitting next to a classmate enjoying their pie. In a controversial move, the teacher explained in the video that she had paid for the child’s pie herself after filming the moment.
Community Response
The Western Cape Education Department confirmed the teacher’s suspension pending an investigation into the incident, which has sparked outrage in the community. Protests erupted outside the school as parents and community members expressed their discontent over the apparent humiliation of the child.
Nomusa Cembi, a representative from the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU), condemned the teacher’s actions, stating, “The apparent humiliation of a learner is completely unacceptable and does not represent the values of the teaching profession.” This incident has highlighted ongoing issues of class inequality in schools.
Support for the Child
In response to the viral nature of the video, influencer Mandisi Tshingana raised over R30,000 for the child, showcasing the community’s willingness to support those affected by the incident. Psychological support has also been offered to the child and his family following the distressing event.
Jewel Jonkers, another community figure, emphasized the need for educators to adhere to a safe code of conduct, stating, “Just remind them again in terms of the safe code of conduct for teachers. The fact that we are here to make sure that no child gets left behind, every child gets taken care of.”
Next Steps
As the investigation into the teacher’s conduct continues, the community remains vigilant, hoping for a resolution that addresses the concerns raised by this incident. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the outcomes of the investigation and any further actions that may be taken by the Western Cape Department of Education.
