Teacher slapped: Pupil charged

2003-05-22 08:42

Elaine Anderson

Teacher opens assault case against pupil who slapped him Pietermaritzburg - A Kharina Secondary School teacher has opened a charge of assault against a pupil who is alleged to have slapped him when asked for his homework.

Classmates confirmed that a Grade 10 pupil assaulted the teacher on Tuesday. "Mr Jogiat asked him for his homework and he got up from his desk, walked to him and then slapped him across the face," said a pupil on Wednesday.

A teacher, who asked not to be named, described the boy as "arrogant and disruptive".

The teacher said the boy violated the school's code of conduct and may be expelled. "He is not in school at the moment."

Irshad Jogiat, the assaulted teacher, would not comment, saying a tribunal will be held tomorrow. The deputy principal would also not comment.

Police said it is believed the pupil was sent out of the class for disruptive behaviour. When he was called back he continued to misbehave. When Jogiat tried to bring him to order he slapped him three times with an open hand.

Education spokesperson Muzi Khubeka said the department "is against assaults in any way", adding: "It is very difficult, how does one manage a child like this?

"We are sorry that one of our teachers was subjected to such an embarrassing situation and we appreciate that the teacher acted responsibly and managed to keep calm. If he hadn't, it would have exacerbated the situation."

- The Witness