THE Limpopo department of education is pleased over the findings that teachers at Mavalane High School in Giyani are not responsible for impregnating 27 pupils
The national South African Council of Educators (SACE) cleared the teachers over allegations of misconduct involving romantic relationships with female pupils.
The "verdict" comes after a one-day research by the SACE at the village on Monday.
According to the council, there was no evidence of teachers having had romantic relationships with female pupils or being responsible for any pregnancy.
Council spokesperson Temba Ndhlovu said they spoke to parents, pupils, teachers and members of the community about the 27 pupils who were pregnant.
He said the council established that some of the pupils were impregnated by their fellow pupils, while others were impregnated by other members of the community they were involved with.
"We have also established that the problem at the school is not about governance, but is more of a social problem," Ndhlovu said yesterday.
"We have also established that the problem does not need only one department but the entire nation and government to be involved to solve it."
Provincial department of education spokesperson Pat Kgomo said they were happy with the outcome of the research by the council.
"We can now breathe a sigh of relief that our teachers adhered to policy that teachers should remain the second parents of pupils," said Kgomo.
"Teachers are entrusted by the parents of children to guide, nourish and lead them to greener pastures of life through teaching."
Kgomo said problems surrounding Mavalane High could just be a tip of an iceberg compared to other schools.
He called on other government departments to offer a helping hand to address issues related to underage sex, teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, school safety measures and moral degeneration.
He also called on parents to break the silence and discuss sexual-related matters with their teenage children.
"There are still mothers out there who believe that it is disrespectful to discuss sexuality matters with their children," he said.
Limpopo teachers cleared
THE Limpopo department of education is pleased over the findings that teachers at Mavalane High School in Giyani are not responsible for impregnating 27 pupils
The national South African Council of Educators (SACE) cleared the teachers over allegations of misconduct involving romantic relationships with female pupils.
The "verdict" comes after a one-day research by the SACE at the village on Monday.
According to the council, there was no evidence of teachers having had romantic relationships with female pupils or being responsible for any pregnancy.
Council spokesperson Temba Ndhlovu said they spoke to parents, pupils, teachers and members of the community about the 27 pupils who were pregnant.
He said the council established that some of the pupils were impregnated by their fellow pupils, while others were impregnated by other members of the community they were involved with.
"We have also established that the problem at the school is not about governance, but is more of a social problem," Ndhlovu said yesterday.
"We have also established that the problem does not need only one department but the entire nation and government to be involved to solve it."
Provincial department of education spokesperson Pat Kgomo said they were happy with the outcome of the research by the council.
"We can now breathe a sigh of relief that our teachers adhered to policy that teachers should remain the second parents of pupils," said Kgomo.
"Teachers are entrusted by the parents of children to guide, nourish and lead them to greener pastures of life through teaching."
Kgomo said problems surrounding Mavalane High could just be a tip of an iceberg compared to other schools.
He called on other government departments to offer a helping hand to address issues related to underage sex, teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, school safety measures and moral degeneration.
He also called on parents to break the silence and discuss sexual-related matters with their teenage children.
"There are still mothers out there who believe that it is disrespectful to discuss sexuality matters with their children," he said.
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