By Levy Masiteng
A Grade 1 teacher at Thembalethu Primary School in George has been temporarily suspended by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) pending a formal investigation after a video circulated showing a pupil being singled out during a school fundraising event.
The incident took place during a “pie day” fundraiser, where pupils who had paid R40 received a pie and juice.
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A video of the incident was recorded on Tuesday and later shared on a parents’ WhatsApp group before spreading on social media.
In the footage, the teacher is heard addressing the class while other learners eat at their desks. The Grade 1 pupil, who had not paid the R40 contribution, sat quietly at his desk, covering his face with his hand while classmates ate around him.
The teacher is also heard taunting the child and telling other pupils not to share their pies with him.
The WCED confirmed it had launched a formal investigation. Department spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said the teacher’s conduct was unacceptable.
“It has since been established that the teacher had in fact purchased the fundraising item for the pupil, who received it after the filming of the video,” Hammond said. “The manner in which this was done, however, was totally inappropriate.”
Hammond said the department had decided to temporarily suspend the teacher while the matter is investigated by its Labour Relations Directorate. She said the teacher had no previous disciplinary record.
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She said that counselling and psychological support would be provided to the learner and his family.
“The WCED remains committed to ensuring that all learners are treated with dignity and care, and that appropriate professional conduct is upheld at all times,” Hammond said.
The incident triggered outrage in the community, with scores of parents, activists and political party members gathered outside the school on Wednesday to demand accountability and the teacher’s dismissal.
Social media users rallied around the learner. Influencer Mandisi Tshingana launched a fundraising campaign to support the child and his family, with between R30 and R40 000 allegedly being collected.
