In a major policy shift, the Department of Basic Education has announced that pupils will have a say in sanctions against teachers who physically or emotionally abuse them. This comes as part of a broader move to empower learners and hold educators accountable for misconduct in South African schools.
Basic Education Director-General Hubert Mweli confirmed the initiative, which aims to strengthen disciplinary processes and promote learner-centred justice.
New Learner-Led Hearings for Abuse Cases
The policy introduces learner-led hearings as part of school-based disciplinary action. Pupils will participate in panels that review cases of corporal punishment, verbal abuse, and other misconduct by teachers. While these panels won’t determine final sanctions, they will provide recommendations to education authorities.
Corporal punishment remains banned in all South African schools, yet reports of physical and verbal abuse persist. According to the department, this learner participation could shift school culture toward accountability and trust.
Restorative Justice and Safety in Schools
Officials describe the move as part of a restorative justice model, encouraging schools to handle discipline in a way that includes both victim and offender voices. “It’s about giving learners a platform,” said Mweli. He added that the department wants schools to become safer spaces where abuse is not tolerated or ignored.
The policy also aims to reduce the backlog of misconduct cases reported to provincial departments, some of which have been unresolved for years.
Pupils’ Voices Take Centre Stage
The decision that pupils will have a say in sanctions against teachers marks a new chapter in South African education. It challenges traditional power dynamics in classrooms and reflects a global trend of recognising children’s rights in education systems.
As the initiative rolls out nationwide, the department plans to train school staff and pupils to ensure fair, transparent implementation.
