(The Post News)– A former Wynberg Girls’ Junior School teacher appeals her dismissal, claiming it followed a private conversation that drew the principal’s attention and led to her 13-year-old daughter attempting to take her life. Accused of breaching confidentiality, the Wynberg teacher is now awaiting an arbitration date for her unfair dismissal case, along with an Equality Court inquiry.
The mother, whose identity is withheld for her family’s privacy, was a teacher at the school where both her children were learners. The children have since been transferred to another school. The mother said their lives changed in March when her daughter, after overhearing a private conversation between her and a former colleague, shared it with a friend on WhatsApp, something that eventually reached school authorities and led to questioning by staff.
According to Weekend Argus, the mother told Cape Argus she was upset that her daughter was questioned without her knowledge and agreed disciplinary action was necessary. But she could never have anticipated her daughter’s subsequent suicide attempt.
After explaining the seriousness of the situation to her daughter and asking her to wait in her room until after dinner, the mother later heard distressing sounds. She discovered empty pill bottles and rushed her child to the hospital, where she received urgent medical care and psychological support.
The mother said it was upsetting to learn that her daughter’s identity had been circulated among teaching staff in a letter, saying, “Sharing my daughter’s name with staff in a letter violated my daughter’s dignity and her rights.” According to the mother, after receiving a PTSD diagnosis, her daughter was at home for two weeks without receiving promised psychological care. She said the principal later sent her a letter terminating her employment from her Student Governing Body (SGB) post.
According to court papers reported by the Cape Argus, the Western Cape Education Department and the principal are listed as respondents in the Equality Court case. The case is scheduled for August 8 at the Mitchell’s Plain Magistrate’s Court. The mother also took the matter to the circuit office and reported it to the National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa).
Riedwaan Ahmed, Naptosa’s provincial chief executive officer, said the matter is expected to proceed to arbitration, as there are concerns that the correct dismissal procedures might not have been observed. Ahmed noted that their stance is that their member was fired without a disciplinary hearing or the chance to cross-examine pertinent witnesses to assess the evidence.
journalist-thembeka@thepostnews.net
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