, QUESTION 1 [15 marks]
1.1 Read the brief case study and answer the questions that follow:
A grade 7 learner is involved in a serious incident at school in which it is
suspected that she has stolen a computer tablet from her teacher’s desk. The
teacher informs the principal who immediately calls for a disciplinary hearing
between the teacher, the learner, and the principal. Based on the testimony
of the teacher, the principal decides to expel the learner and indicates that
she is no longer a learner at the school. The principal contacts the learner’s
mother to inform her of the decision.
1.1.1In what ways has the principal not followed the directives of the South
African Schools Act (No. 84 of 1996) in handing this incident? (3)
The principal did not follow the rules, according to the South African Schools
Act (No. 84 of 1996) - suspension and expulsion from public schools. The
principal called a hearing but only between the teacher, principal, and
learner. The principal expelled the learner, the South African Act indicates
that only the governing body can suspend the learner after a fair hearing.
The principal should not expel the learner, he or she had to take the matter to
the governing body first. The principal expelled the learner for good, the
South African Act (No. 84 of 1996) indicates that a learner could only be
expelled by the Head of the Education Department after a fair hearing.
1.1.2 The teacher could have used an observation checklist to assess whether
or not the learner was in need of counselling. Discuss the focus areas of the
observation checklist a teacher can use for such an assessment.
(a) Class attendance- The teacher can check the register at the end of each
day to find out which learners are missing and or skipping classes. A pattern
may be established after a period of time (e.g., one week).
(b) Academic performance- The teacher should be concerned of
Inconsistent or deteriorating academic performances. The teacher should
pay attention to the following examples that could explain the learner’s
deteriorating or inconsistent academic performance: poor attention span or
absent mindedness; poor participation in classroom and in other activities;
poor commitment; and poor completion of tasks or homework.
(c) General physical appearance- The teacher should consider the learner’s
general neatness, for example the neatness of the school uniform and the
hygiene of all visible body parts (hair, eyes, teeth, nails, ears, etc).
(d) Speech- The teacher should take the following into consideration: ease
or difficulty with which the learners express themselves verbally may indicate
a problem.
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