Question NW1034 to the Minister of Basic Education
18 May 2017 - NW1034
Robertson, Mr K to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1)With reference to her reply to question 127 on 23 March 2017, how many of the cases of school pupils becoming pregnant resulted from sexual relations with a teacher; (2) has her department investigated these cases; if not, why not; if so, what action been taken against the teachers involved; (3) has the SA Council of Educators (SACE) been informed of the cases; if not, why not; if so, have the teachers involved been struck from the teachers roll?
Reply:
1. There is no data certainty about learner pregnancy cases resulting from sexual relations with educators. All suspected cases of sexual violation in schools should to be reported to the relevant authorities for further investigation. This data is self-reported and relies heavily on learners and their families coming forward with this information.
2. Provinces carry out investigations through their provincial Labour Relations including those of sexual offences against children by teachers.
3. If provinces find cases, SACE is contacted. Further investigations take place through SACE and any teacher found guilty of committing sexual offences or having a sexual relationship with a learner is struck off the teachers’ roll.