The South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) has condemned the assault and expulsion of a 13-year-old learner from Crowthorne Christian Academy.
The teachers’ union is also still shocked that Andries Hendrik Booysen, the husband of the principal of the academy, was granted bail on Thursday.
Sadtu’s reaction comes after a learner refused to cut her natural dreadlocks, as ordered by the management of Crowthorne Christian Academy.
The Midrand school made headlines this week after a learner was taken to task for defying the school’s policy.
In a viral video dated August 14, the 51-year-old Booysen can be seen pushing the learner and her mother out of the door.
The mother can also be heard accusing Booysen and his wife of being racists.
Apparently, the principal of the school had called Booysen, who happens to be the owner of the school, to remove the learner and the mother.
Booysen is out on R2 000 bail after he appeared in the Midrand magistrate’s court on Thursday for assault. His case was postponed to October 2 for further investigation.
National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwana said Booysen’s bail conditions prevent him from contacting or interfering with state witnesses.
Sadtu said it regards the matter as “downright racist”.
“We condemn the granting of bail to the husband of the school principal and owner, who dragged and pulled the 13-year-old’s hair as he forcefully removed her from the classroom in full view of other learners.
“Such an act was a gross violation of the learner’s rights,” said the union.
Sadtu added that learners have a right to be free from all forms of violence, to enjoy their education and not to be treated in a degrading manner.
It has since called on the Department of Basic Education to rein in private schools as “some are being run like spaza shops”.
According to media reports, the parents interviewed said the school’s new hair policy was communicated via WhatsApp.
“We call on the department to conduct proper background checks on individuals before granting them licences,” said Sadtu.
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