ADVERTISEMENT:
Learning and teaching at the John Marubini Primary School returned to normal after an alleged troubled learner was expelled from the school on Monday, 24 January. Generic image.
A learner from the John Marubini Primary School in Phiphidi village, just outside Thohoyandou, was expelled on Monday (24th) after he had allegedly threatened teachers and members of the School Governing Body (SGB). The learner apparently failed Grade 7 for the second time last year but insisted on being promoted to the next grade.
The school’s SGB chairperson, Mr Netshifhefhe Humbulani, said that the learner started to cause trouble at the start of the school year on 12 January. He allegedly threatened a schoolteacher with a knife, saying that if he were not promoted to the next grade “they will see danger”. The school claims that he was also bullying other learners at the school.
According to Humbulani, the 17-year-old boy was supposed to be in Grade 11 this year, but had to repeat a few years because of his bad behaviour. “He absconded from learning, bullied the other kids, caused disruptions in the class and threatened teachers,” he said.
“We (SGB) were fed-up with his bad behaviour and decided to call a meeting with parents, the civic organisation, representatives of the royal leaders in Phiphidi village, community members and educators to discuss his fate on Friday, 21 January, and on Monday it was agreed to expel him from the school,” Humbulani said.
The school further laid charges at the police against the boy, and he is prohibited from entering the school premises.
The spokesperson for the Department of Education in Limpopo, Ms Tidimalo Chenue, said learners and teachers at the school would have to receive counselling after the threats and bullying they had had to endure. She said that her department had summoned the District Director of Vhembe East, Dr Gerson Rambiyana, and his office was currently investigating the matter to arrange for social workers to visit the school.
Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said they had arrested the learner, who faces charges of assault. He will appear in the children’s court soon.
Date:27 January 2022
Read: 817
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT:
ADVERTISEMENT:
ADVERTISEMENT