Strikers tear up exam scripts
2007-06-04 18:11
Cape Town - Striking teachers tore up exam scripts and manhandled a pupil at a Cape Town school on Monday, said the Western Cape education department.
Education MEC Cameron Dugmore had been outraged to learn of the incident, involving about 30 strikers, said his spokesperson Gert Witbooi.
The strikers arrived at the Malibu Secondary School, in Blue Downs - they were not staff there - and asked the principal if they could speak to SA Democratic Teachers' Union members, he said.
While waiting for the principal to arrange the meeting, they entered the school hall where Grade 11 and 12 pupils were writing geography and maths exams.
They demanded the pupils exam papers and scripts, some of which they tore up, said Witbooi.
"One of the group manhandled a female pupil who refused to hand over her script, grabbing her around the neck, according to our report from the school."
Witbooi said the girl's parents had told the school they would lodge a formal complaint.
The exams were abandoned. The pupils would be offered counselling by school psychologists on Tuesday.
He said the group of strikers moved on to Kleinvlei Secondary School in Eerste River where the principal refused to allow them onto the premises.
Western Cape education department head Ron Swartz said the department would investigate fully with a view to disciplinary action.
"Any form of intimidation is unacceptable. To intimidate and assault learners is unforgivable," he said.
- SAPA