Outcry over sex-for-marks at Brakpan school

Nomalungelo Gina, chairman of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education says that sex-for-marks at SA school cannot be tolerated and teachers involved should be prosecuted and removed from the education system. Image: Google Plus

Gina said there has to be consequences for those teachers who are sexually exploiting under-age pupils with such callous behaviour.

"This attitude goes against every value we want to instil in society's fibre. It is the worst form of abuse and ought to be obliterated completely," said Gina.

Parliament's portfolio committee condemned the sex-for-marks outrage by educators at some South African schools after media reports told how teachers at Brakpan High School in Gauteng sought sexual favours from learners in order to pass the exams.

Parliament said it was revealed that the school was without a School Governing Body as it was disbanded in June after maladministration was exposed there.

Gina said if any of the governance structures at school failed, such a situation exposed schools to all forms of opportunists, such as teachers who demand sex from pupils.

"Right now all our efforts should be geared towards ensuring that learners are safe and protected. All stakeholders, including civil society and organised labour, should condemn this behaviour. The dignity of the teaching profession should be restored through eliminating sex-pest educators from the system," said Gina.

Parliament said the committee is calling for the harshest punishment for those found guilty of such transgressions.

"The sinister behaviour where educators view learners - as young as they are - as sex objects should be condemned and frowned upon. Educators should exercise a parental role for the more than eight hours that children remain in their care and not subject them to this kind of abuse," Gina added.