Teachers not equipped to deal with pupils' abuse issues

WHILE teachers at some Nelson Mandela Bay schools encourage pupils to speak out about any form of abuse they may be subjected to, many are not adequately equipped to deal with pupils' often disturbing disclosures.

Along with neglect, children are subjected daily to shocking levels of abuse – physical, sexual and emotional – and the teachers they spend the bulk of their time with are legally obliged to ensure their safety and well-being by reporting any suspected abuse to the relevant authorities.

But despite having documented policy on how to spot and deal with child abuse cases at schools, some teachers remain oblivious or do not know what to do even when they suspect that a pupil is being abused. - Zandile Mbabela