A LIMPOPO pupil has had his eye removed after allegedly being assaulted by a schoolteacher last Tuesday.

As a result the pupil will not be able to write the end of the year examination and is instead the 16-year-old boy is in pain at Elim hospital, near Louis Trichardt, where he had the eye removed.

Limpopo police spokesperson Superintendent Mohale Ramatseba said information brought to police by the boy's parents was that the incident happened in class. Ramatseba said a teacher was allegedly punishing a pupil using a stick. He said the pupil had bunked extra lessons the previous day.

"It is alleged the stick flew out of the teacher's hand and got stuck in the boy's eye. The boy was rushed to Tshilidzini Hospital where doctors said his eye was seriously damaged," he said.

The boy was subsequently transferred to Elim Hospital where his eye was removed.

Ramatseba said the incident took place at Mabungu Andries High School in Chakuma near Thohoyandou.

"The teacher had allegedly arranged with the boy's parents to keep the matter under wraps for a while, but the parents reported the matter to police soon after the boy's eye was removed. The teacher was subsequently arrested," he said.

Ramatseba said the teacher, Conrad Shimange, 50, appeared briefly in the Vuwane magistrate' court yesterday where he faced a charge of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Shimange is out on free bail and his next court appearance is December 2.

Ndo Mangala, Limpopo education spokesperson, said the department viewed the matter in a very serious light. He said an investigation that will include the labour department will be set up to look into the matter.