Parents lament school's response to 'sex-pest' complaint

A screenshot taken from a WhatsApp conversation of a sexual nature between the Hyde Park High School teacher and mother posing as her son, who is a student at the school. Picture: EyeWitness News

Johannesburg, October 7 - The Gauteng Education Department is probing allegations a Johannesburg teacher has sent a pupil pictures of a sexual nature. Parents have since expressed shock at the manner in which the school handled the matter. eNCA

JOHANNESBURG - The Gauteng Education Department is probing allegations a Johannesburg teacher has sent a pupil pictures of a sexual nature.

This after a parent at Hyde Park High School discovered the teacher’s naked picture on her son’s phone. The teacher has been suspended and is out on bail.

Parents have since expressed shock at the manner in which the school handled the matter.

The 39-year-old teacher stands accused of possessing and filming child pornography. He got into trouble after sending one of his pupils a naked photo of himself sitting in a bathtub.

The teacher then engaged in a late night conversation on WhatsApp with the 16-year-old boy's mother - who was pretending to be the boy after discovering the picture.

The mother, who cannot be identified, says she's disappointed at how the school handled the matter.

“There’s that horrible cold realisation that suddenly that somebody that you’ve trusted with your child’s wellbeing, not only that you’ve trusted but an institution like a school with such a good reputation is trusted is actually sending this kind of material having this kind of discussion with your child,” she said.

The Gauteng Education Department declined to say why or how it took over a week for the school to suspend the teacher.

“The department has put in an independent investigation to look at all aspects of this case and the outcome of which will guide the department as to what steps to take,” said Gauteng Education Department spokesperson Gershwin Chuenyane.

Some parents say they are shocked and disappointed that the school has not informed them and that they had to hear of the incident through the media.

“I have two kids here and one of my kids has been taught by this individual. Not happy but I mean it’s the same for all the kids. My kids communicate well with me but so I would know if there is a problem but yes you feel uncomfortable when you feel an individual like this has been around your kids,” said one parent.

The teacher is expected back in court next month.-eNCA