Departmental spokesperson, Howard Ndaba, says images are doing rounds on social media showing the headmaster using corporal punishment to discipline a learner.

Ndaba condemned the corporal punishment of the learner.

"Corporal punishment has been banned and may not be used as a method of enforcing discipline in schools. Principals, educators, learners, parents and/or any support staff are required to report the use of corporal punishment following the prescripts contained in Protocol to Deal with Incidences of Corporal Punishment in Schools. Corporal punishment is a violation of children’s rights, physical integrity, dignity, health, development, education. The effects of corporal punishment are far-reaching and can cause mental and physical harm to children as well as short- and long-term aggression and antisocial behavior in learners, even as they mature. Crucially, corporal punishment is not a solution to disciplinary problems in a school or any other setting," he said.

According to Ndaba, the department has already commenced with investigations and will work urgently to establish the facts.

He says action will be taken against anyone who violates the prohibition of corporal punishment.

Ndaba also called on the School Governing Body to mobilise all stakeholders to play a meaningful role in abolishing corporal punishment in schools.

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