The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) is aware of the incident that occurred at Nic Diederichs High School in Krugersdorp on Tuesday, 31 January 2023, where a Grade 10 boy learner allegedly assaulted a Grade 10 girl learner. This incident was captured in a video that has since gone viral, and we vehemently condemn the behaviour that was displayed.
The perpetrator was suspended today on Wednesday, 1 February 2023, through correspondence that was served to his parents. Subsequently, a disciplinary hearing by the school’s Disciplinary Committee is scheduled for 12 February 2023.
Our officials visited the school today to verify circumstances surrounding the incident. Our psycho-social support team has also been deployed to provide counselling and trauma support for the victim.
We strongly condemn any acts of misconduct by learners that dehumanises, demeans and potentially endangers other learners, and ultimately undermines the dignity of our learning institutions. Learner ill-discipline will not be tolerated in our schools.
The Department continues to appeal to parents in assisting to enforce discipline upon their children in and outside the school environment.
“We condemn, in the strongest sense, this despicable behaviour. No one can be allowed to assault anyone in our schools, and we especially condemn any form of gender-based violence in our schools. We are pleased that the perpetrator is suspended and will not be allowed back to our school before necessary rehabilitation,” said Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane.
We will continue to monitor the situation and apply further interventions accordingly.
