Principal suspended after Grade 12 learner assaulted by teacher for unpaid school trip
The Eastern Cape Department of Education has confirmed social media allegations of a learner being severely beaten at a local high school.
This follows the viral circulation of a picture showing a learner’s palm on social media on July 25, 2025, which alleged that teachers at Osborn Secondary School had administered corporal punishment.
In a statement released on Monday, the Department of Education said it took these allegations seriously and took immediate action after the picture went viral. It met with school management, where an investigation was conducted to validate allegations.
The school is located within the Alfred Nzo West Education District.
“The Department’s findings confirm that the incident indeed occurred at the school and that the learner assaulted is a registered Grade 12 learner at the school, that corporal punishment is still being administered at the school, and that the learner was assaulted specifically for not having paid for a Grade 12 trip,” it said.
The department’s investigations included consultations with Grade 12 learners, the assaulted learner, and learners in leadership positions who validated the allegations.
It was also confirmed that the two teachers implicated are currently employed at the school.
“In light of these findings, the Department has taken swift action in noting the seriousness of the situation and has suspended the school Principal pending the outcome of the full investigation,” it said.
The Department recommended a thorough investigation into the incident to ensure all responsible parties are held accountable.
“The Department is committed to ensuring that its schools provide a safe and nurturing environment for all learners and that all necessary steps will be taken to address this incident and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.”
The Department urged all stakeholders to cooperate with the investigation and assured the public that the Department will take decisive action to address any wrongdoing in schools.
robin.francke@iol.co.za
IOL