By OBAKENG MAJE
2 September 2026 – The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) in the North West said it is deeply concerned about the reported incident at Batlhaping Secondary School in Taung involving a learner allegedly directing insulting and disrespectful language towards an educator. SADTU said it is seriously disturbed by the escalating levels of learner indiscipline and the growing incidents of verbal abuse, threats, intimidation and physical attacks against educators in schools.
SADTU provincial secretary, George Themba said they cannot accept a situation where educators report for duty every day uncertain about whether they will be safe in the classroom. Themba said educators cannot be expected to perform their professional responsibilities effectively while being subjected to threats, insults, intimidation or violence.
“The safety and dignity of educators must be treated as a fundamental condition for quality education. We are particularly concerned that incidents of serious learner misconduct are sometimes allowed to continue without decisive intervention.
“Where an educator is assaulted or threatened, there must be an immediate and appropriate response. Violence against educators must never be normalised or treated as merely a disciplinary matter,” he said.
Themba further said where criminal conduct has occurred, the relevant law- enforcement agencies must be involved. He added that SADTU therefore calls on the North West Department of Education and the North West MEC for Education, Dr Desbo Mohono to urgently strengthen measures aimed at protecting educators and restoring discipline in schools.
“We demand stronger implementation of school safety and learner-discipline policies, with clear consequences for serious misconduct. Immediate intervention in cases involving threats, intimidation or physical attacks against educators.
“Proper support for principals and School Governing Bodies (SGBs) to manage serious disciplinary cases. Improved collaboration between schools, parents, the Department of Education, South African Police Services (SAPS) and other relevant stakeholders,” said Themba.
He said appropriate psychosocial and professional support for educators who experience violence or trauma in the workplace. Themba said the monitoring of schools where serious disciplinary and safety challenges have been identified.
“Greater accountability for parents and guardians who fail to support reasonable disciplinary measures or who themselves threaten and intimidate educators. A comprehensive review of measures aimed at preventing weapons, drugs and other dangerous substances from entering school premises.
“We emphasise that SADTU does not advocate for the violation of learners’ rights. Learners have rights, but rights come with responsibilities. The protection of learners cannot be interpreted in a manner that leaves educators exposed to abuse, intimidation or violence,” he said.
Themba said a balanced approach must protect everyone in the school community. He said parents also have a critical role to play.
“Schools cannot carry the responsibility for discipline alone. Parents and guardians must reinforce respect, responsibility and acceptable behaviour among learners.
“Equally, educators must continue to uphold professional standards and exercise their authority responsibly. The crisis of learner indiscipline must also be understood within the broader challenges facing education, including overcrowding, social problems, substance abuse, inadequate psychosocial services and pressure on educators,” said Themba.
He said these challenges require a whole-of-society response, rather than placing the entire burden on teachers. Themba said SADTU North West remains committed to defending the rights and interests of educators, while championing a public education system that is safe, disciplined and conducive to effective teaching and learning.
“Teaching cannot be an attractive and respected profession when educators are expected to work in unsafe environments. An attack on an educator is not only an attack on an individual—it is an attack on the teaching profession and the right of every learner to quality education.
“SADTU calls upon the Department of Education to act decisively, urgently and consistently. The time has come to move beyond statements of concern towards concrete interventions that restore discipline, protect educators and reclaim schools as safe spaces for teaching and learning,” he said.
The Guardian 