ACCORDING to the Gauteng department of education's protocols, these steps should be followed in a case of suspected abuse:

- Inform the principal.

- The principal has to inform the district director and school governing body (SGB). If the alleged abuser is an employee of the department the case has to be referred to the department for a disciplinary hearing.

- The principal and SGB can then refer the case to the police. The principal also has to ask for a temporary teacher while the disciplinary hearing and criminal case is going on.

- If the teacher is found guilty in a disciplinary hearing he can be fired. The South African Council of Educators has to be notified to conduct investigations regarding de-registration.