Free State Maths and Science Teacher Fired for Kissing Grade 8 Pupil, Violating Employment of Educators Act

• A Free State teacher lost his fight to keep his job after being brought to task over inappropriate behaviour with a learner
• Lawerence Letolo, a maths and science educator, was accused of kissing a Grade 8 learner
• The Education Labour Relations Council has condemned Letolo's actions, describing them as "disgraceful"

FREE STATE - Lawrence Letolo, a maths and physics instructor in the Free State, was sacked when he was caught kissing a Grade 8 student. The former educator was found guilty of violating the Employment of Educators Act by the Education Labour Relations Council.

Letolo was accused of acting in a way not suited for someone entrusted with the care of children. Despite his best efforts, he was dismissed.

Education Labour Relations Council finds teacher guilty of contravening Employment of Educators Act

The married father of five is alleged to have asked the student for a kiss after luring her into his classroom. She gave him a peck on the cheek, but he insisted on a kiss on the mouth. Letolo followed up with a request for her phone number after school let out.

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Sowetan Live published a piece detailing the council's condemnation of Letolo and his behaviour, calling it "disgraceful". 

According to the story, arbitrator advocate David Pietersen said:

"[Letolo’s] conduct is not just contra bonos mores (against the good morals of society), but he has equally so violated his professional codes and the law."

SA Council of Educators claims increase in teacher sexual misconduct

Sadly, the sexual misconduct committed by the teacher in this case is not an isolated incident. IOL reported that there had been an increase in reports of teachers abusing their power.

According to data compiled by the South African Council of Educators (SACE), the article details 191 incidents of sexual misconduct against educators. This points to a stunning statistic that an assault occurs in a school practically every day.

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North West Education Department confirms lawsuit from teacher assaulted by pupil and staff members

North West hospital slammed as pictures of newborn babes placed in cardboard boxes make rounds online

Unfortunately, that is not the only unsettling news involving children this week. Recently, Briefly News reported on a concerning matter at a North West hospital.

South Africans were shocked after pictures of newborn babies in cardboard boxes were circulated online. The incident was recorded at the Mahikeng Provincial Hospital over the weekend.

The country's outrage did not fall on deaf ears. The North West Department of Health says it has opened an investigation into the incident.

Source: Briefly News