Zinhle Mapumulo
Zinhle Mapumulo
A 6-year-old grade R boy has been suspended from school after he allegedly assaulted a teacher.
The pupil, of Robertsham Primary School in Robertsham, Johannesburg, allegedly kicked two teachers, leaving them with bruises.
The latest attack happened on September 18.
But the school has rejected claims that the child had been suspended.
School principal Sharon Lynch said the school only advised the mother to send the child for psychiatric evaluation.
A letter from the principal to the child's mother advised her to have the child assessed by the child and family unit of the social development department.
The letter says in part: "It has been recommended that your son does not attend school until he has had a full psychological assessment. His undesirable behaviour and kicking of two teachers is unacceptable."
The mother said it was clear "my little boy was not wanted in this school".
"My boy is not mischievous," she said. "He's just a normal child and I was shocked when the school told me what had happened.
"I got a call from the principal telling me what my son had done. She insisted on seeing me and I told her I was out of town.
"The Monday after the incident I visited the school where I was given the letter."
She said her frustrations were compounded when the unit told her she would be on a waiting list and that the next available appointment would be next month.
"When I informed the principal about this she said the school could not do anything about it and that the decision stood," she said.
Said Lynch "We only advised the mother to send him for psychological assessment. The child has serious problems. Since he joined the school in January he has not been coping.
"He assaulted another teacher early this year. He did the same again last month and this time it was serious. We had to take action against his behaviour."
The principal said the teacher bled from the shin where she had been kicked and did not come to school the next day.
Gauteng education spokesman Panyaza Lesufi said the matter was between the parents and the school. They would not intervene until the matter had been finalised.
My little boy is just a normal child but he is not wanted in school
Zinhle Mapumulo
Zinhle Mapumulo
A 6-year-old grade R boy has been suspended from school after he allegedly assaulted a teacher.
The pupil, of Robertsham Primary School in Robertsham, Johannesburg, allegedly kicked two teachers, leaving them with bruises.
The latest attack happened on September 18.
But the school has rejected claims that the child had been suspended.
School principal Sharon Lynch said the school only advised the mother to send the child for psychiatric evaluation.
A letter from the principal to the child's mother advised her to have the child assessed by the child and family unit of the social development department.
The letter says in part: "It has been recommended that your son does not attend school until he has had a full psychological assessment. His undesirable behaviour and kicking of two teachers is unacceptable."
The mother said it was clear "my little boy was not wanted in this school".
"My boy is not mischievous," she said. "He's just a normal child and I was shocked when the school told me what had happened.
"I got a call from the principal telling me what my son had done. She insisted on seeing me and I told her I was out of town.
"The Monday after the incident I visited the school where I was given the letter."
She said her frustrations were compounded when the unit told her she would be on a waiting list and that the next available appointment would be next month.
"When I informed the principal about this she said the school could not do anything about it and that the decision stood," she said.
Said Lynch "We only advised the mother to send him for psychological assessment. The child has serious problems. Since he joined the school in January he has not been coping.
"He assaulted another teacher early this year. He did the same again last month and this time it was serious. We had to take action against his behaviour."
The principal said the teacher bled from the shin where she had been kicked and did not come to school the next day.
Gauteng education spokesman Panyaza Lesufi said the matter was between the parents and the school. They would not intervene until the matter had been finalised.
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