A 31-year-old teacher at the Dr. Böhmer School of Skills in the Free State has been suspended following allegations of assaulting a learner. The incident, captured on cellphone footage in March, went viral, sparking outrage.
Reports indicate the altercation began in the morning, after which the teacher allegedly entered the learner’s dormitory without permission. The video shows the educator pushing the learner to the ground and stomping on him before other students intervened.
The school, which caters to learners with mild intellectual disabilities, reported the incident to the district, leading to the teacher’s precautionary suspension. Howard Ndaba, spokesperson for the provincial education department, confirmed an investigation is underway, with disciplinary hearings set for May 24.
The parents of the learner have opened a police case, and the teacher is expected to appear in court on May 22. The department condemned the incident, emphasizing the need for safe and nurturing school environments.
Social workers have been deployed to support the affected learner.
