Teacher furious over classroom attack

[mancombseepgood]

http://www.dispatch.co.za/article.aspx?id=207874

2008/05/30
Education Reporter

A HEAVILY pregnant East London teacher has filed a criminal complaint against a pupil she claims attacked her in front of a packed classroom.

A case of assault was opened with Buffalo Flats police by Grade 11 teacher Jacky Scharneck-Mohamed against the 15-year-old boy on Monday – five days after the incident at Greenpoint High School.

At first she declined to lay a complaint on condition the boy received counselling, and provided the school dealt with the matter professionally. But she claimed the school’s handling of the incident had forced a change of heart.

“I was physically attacked by this boy and my cellphone was stolen. The situation is not receiving the urgency it deserves. Instead, it seems as if I’m being frustrated.”

No harm was down to Scharneck-Mohamed’s unborn baby during the alleged attack in which the pupil is said to have first sworn at her before lunging at her. She ended up on the floor underneath a desk.

The incident was triggered, she said, by the theft of her cellphone, allegedly by the boy.

She said she had been left emotionally distressed.

“I tense up when I sit and think about what happened. It all still seems so unreal … and things are not getting any better.”

A psychologist has diagnosed Scharneck-Mohamed, 35, as suffering from post traumatic stress and has booked her off work until next Monday.

The boy and seven others allegedly involved in the theft attended a disciplinary hearing, the outcome of which further infuriated Scharneck-Mohamed.

She said school principal Albert Brown told her the boy was found not guilty of assault and that he and two others were given “toilet duty” as punishment for the theft of the cellphone, which was recovered.

Scharneck-Mohamed labelled the sentence and findings “pathetic”.

“Toilet duty for stealing a cellphone and not guilty of assault although it happened in front of so many children ... it’s a sick joke. I’m scared to return to school now.”

In a letter read out to staff on Friday, Scharneck-Mohamed called for a precedent to be set, stamping out violence against teachers.

“If this is the message they are sending out, then they might as well give learners permission to assault teachers. You’ll only get toilet duties,” she said.

Neither Brown nor the provincial Education Department could be reached for comment. - By CHANDRÉ PRINCE

 

[Skinner]

Neither Brown nor the provincial Education Department could be reached for comment.

Why am I not surprised?

 

[Gnome]

"Instead, it seems as if I’m being frustrated.”

WTF, does she really talk like that?

Anyway that comment aside, I think these kinds of attacks that usually would have resulted in corporal punishment (way back when, that just seem to be brushed off these days) should just be directly dealt with by the criminal justice system, they want kids to have the rights then they have make them understand the consequences also.

 

[Mandrakemoomoo]

they need a good beating, they would think twice next time. the younger generation are seriously lacking in self control and respect for people and things.

a good karate chop to the head and perhaps even a flying head butt. you wont hear a wisper from him.

 

[mancombseepgood]

"Instead, it seems as if I’m being frustrated.”

WTF, does she really talk like that?

Anyway that comment aside, I think these kinds of attacks that usually would have resulted in corporal punishment (way back when, that just seem to be brushed off these days) should just be directly dealt with by the criminal justice system, they want kids to have the rights then they have make them understand the consequences also.

He attacked her because she confronted him for stealing her cellphone?
Corporal punishement for attacking a heavily pregnant woman? Sjoe... you went to a funny school... Boystown was the remedy when I was at school.

Here's another article:
http://blogs.dispatch.co.za/dispatchnow/2008/05/24/pregnant-teacher-attacked-by-student/

A heavily pregnant Greenpoint High School teacher is fearing for her life and that of her unborn child after being assaulted by a pupil in her classroom this week, writes Education Reporter, Chandre Prince.

Thursday morning’s attack, which took place in full view of a packed classroom, was the 35-year-old teacher’s worst nightmare. While school principal Albert Brown refused to comment about the incident, the Grade 11 English teacher yesterday said the attack was “too much for me”.

Another teacher said it has raised concerns about teacher and pupil safety.

“I was so shocked. In all my 12 years of teaching, I’ve experienced nothing like this,” said the six-month pregnant mother of two boys – who asked not to be named.

Greenpoint was recently identified as one of the most dangerous schools in the province by Education Department schools safety co-ordinator Felix Mbete.

 

[Gnome]

He attacked her because she confronted him for stealing her cellphone?
Corporal punishement for attacking a heavily pregnant woman? Sjoe... you went to a funny school... Boystown was the remedy when I was at school.

No, at my school we got corporal punishment for not doing homework, but I wasn't thinking of the standard hit once with the bat type of treatment. Beat the crap out of them and then expel them.

If Boys town is anything like our prisons I'm doubtful it will make him a better person, in fact after being there he'll probably have less discipline and less regard for authority.

 

[mancombseepgood]

No, at my school we got corporal punishment for not doing homework, but I wasn't thinking of the standard hit once with the bat type of treatment. Beat the crap out of them and then expel them.

If Boys town is anything like our prisons I'm doubtful it will make him a better person, in fact after being there he'll probably have less discipline and less regard for authority.

Actually I have heard good things about Boystown... sometimes it wakes people up to the reality of where they belong if they behave in that way... sometimes soon enough... not always.

I see what you are saying, but expelling is a tough one too - where to from there - these days there isn't enough room at school to take new learners - that goes for most schools. The department steps in and the kid is back at school in no time...

As far as I can see, criminal acts deserve criminal treatment. At this point in the kids life, his home support system has failed him and his behaviour is no longer the responsibility of the department. I can't see why our teachers should risk their lives for him. Send him away IMO... it could save his life and someone else's.