Young Teacher Hopes Departments Address Learner Behaviour: “Feels Like I’m Losing Myself”

• A young teacher named Rushphiano Lamour Cloete shared that he felt as if he were losing himself while trying to save his learners from their disrespectful behaviour
• He shared in a TikTok post that three departments in South Africa needed to intervene to help remedy the unfortunate situation
• Social media users in the comment section agreed with Rushphiano's take, with many teachers sharing their opinions

A young South African teacher shared how he wished that three national departments actively and intentionally collaborated to address learners' behaviours on school grounds. Many people online agreed with the educator, noting that it wasn't the teachers' responsibility to discipline parents' children.

On 18 September, 2025, Rushphiano Lamour Cloete, a social media influencer who boasts over 250 000 followers on his TikTok account, referred to the Department of Basic Education (DBE), the Department of Social Development, and the South African Police Service (SAPS).

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He clarified that parents and guardians needed to be held lawfully accountable for their children's behaviour, adding that this was where SAPS came in. Secondly, with help from the Department of Social Development, the content creator stated that learners needed to be taken for counselling. Lastly, he felt that teachers needed to be more empowered and equipped with assistance from the DBE.

Rushphiano, who's from the Northern Cape, stated in his post:

"I'm really disappointed in the way things are going at schools. As a young teacher, it feels like I'm losing myself trying to save these kids from their disrespectful behaviour."

Teacher's post resonates with Mzansi

Many local social media users, most of whom appeared to be teachers, agreed with Rushphiano and expressed themselves in the post's comment section.

@done.coetzee shared under the post:

"If all stakeholders had played their part, our task would have been much easier, but now it seems like we're fighting a losing battle."

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@yola45217 suggested a temporary solution, writing:

"As a start, appoint social workers in all schools. Teachers must play too many roles lately, when in fact it should start at home. Parents lack accountability."

@lynnepillay wrote their opinion in the comments:

"This government doesn’t care. It’s about making money. Relegate social justice and education to donations for tax evasion purposes so their personal fortunes are unaffected."

@romizzledizzle, who seemed to have had enough, remarked:

"They lie, they cheat, they steal, they fight, they refuse to work, and who gets the blame? The teachers. Parents attack teachers yet refuse to reprimand their offspring."

After seeing Rushphiano's post, @telishiamlc added:

"That's why I dropped out after my third year. I was doing SPFET (Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching), and the last practical made me depressed. I'm passionate and good at teaching, but my mental health comes first. I didn't see myself furthering or retiring as a teacher. I can't explain it enough to people questioning my choice of dropping out."

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A supportive @kk34998 said to the young teacher:

"Just make sure you don't lose yourself in the whole process of trying to save them from themselves. Always make sure you look after your own well-being, too. Strongs, sir."

Take a look at the TikTok video below:

3 Other stories about teachers

• In another article, Briefly News reported that learners broke down in tears when a teacher announced his departure from a primary school in the Western Cape, highlighting the bond between the educator and his pupils.
• A video showed confident young teachers showcasing their vehicles in the school's parking lot, giving internet users a fresh perspective of teachers outside the classroom.
• Earlier this year, content creator Boni Xaba surprised outraged social media users after showing a teacher's payslip. The professional had 18 years of experience.

Source: Briefly News