Principal accused of beating pupils
Jan Möhr principal Clement Kloppers denies a parent's allegation that he beat unruly pupils who were sent to his office.
JEMIMA BEUKES
A principal of a Windhoek school has been accused of dishing out corporal punishment.
Jan Möhr Secondary School principal Clement Kloppers allegedly summoned an entire Grade 10 class, for being noisy, at his office and out of frustration threatened them.
According to a parent, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Kloppers started beating the learners on Wednesday.
“I have a child in Grade 10 who told me that the kids were making noise and then they were sent to the principal's office who told them that he would kill them,” said the parent.
The use of corporal punishment is not permitted in Namibian schools.
Kloopers, however, denied hitting the learners, but admitted uttering the words that he “would kill someone”.
He quickly explained that it was merely an expression out of frustration and he has no intention to commit the act.
Kloppers further said he was frustrated by learners who still fail Grade 10 after they are given an opportunity to repeat.
According to him, many parents only get involved in their children's academic affairs when it is too late. “I must from time to time pull in the reins to try and scare them into getting serious and to study hard for their examinations,” he said.
He also denied claims that he would not register learners for external examinations.
“I told them that if they do not pull up their socks and get serious, I have a right to inform the ministry that they are not ready for these examinations. How can I recommend a learner who has only 5% in this (school) examination? How will they fare in the external examinations? On top of this, some of these learners have failed before,” he said.
Kloppers blamed the attitude of some parents saying they only complain and criticise teachers' efforts instead of encouraging their children to study hard and pass.
He, however, commended parents who play their part.
“We spend so much time on disciplining children and a job that should be done by a parent. We generally have well-mannered learners but I am worried about certain groups that refuse to do their part. They are disrespectful towards younger female teachers and instead of taking good advice they run home with stories. We struggle to maintain a good standard,” he said.
A principal of a Windhoek school has been accused of dishing out corporal punishment.
Jan Möhr Secondary School principal Clement Kloppers allegedly summoned an entire Grade 10 class, for being noisy, at his office and out of frustration threatened them.
According to a parent, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Kloppers started beating the learners on Wednesday.
“I have a child in Grade 10 who told me that the kids were making noise and then they were sent to the principal's office who told them that he would kill them,” said the parent.
The use of corporal punishment is not permitted in Namibian schools.
Kloopers, however, denied hitting the learners, but admitted uttering the words that he “would kill someone”.
He quickly explained that it was merely an expression out of frustration and he has no intention to commit the act.
Kloppers further said he was frustrated by learners who still fail Grade 10 after they are given an opportunity to repeat.
According to him, many parents only get involved in their children's academic affairs when it is too late. “I must from time to time pull in the reins to try and scare them into getting serious and to study hard for their examinations,” he said.
He also denied claims that he would not register learners for external examinations.
“I told them that if they do not pull up their socks and get serious, I have a right to inform the ministry that they are not ready for these examinations. How can I recommend a learner who has only 5% in this (school) examination? How will they fare in the external examinations? On top of this, some of these learners have failed before,” he said.
Kloppers blamed the attitude of some parents saying they only complain and criticise teachers' efforts instead of encouraging their children to study hard and pass.
He, however, commended parents who play their part.
“We spend so much time on disciplining children and a job that should be done by a parent. We generally have well-mannered learners but I am worried about certain groups that refuse to do their part. They are disrespectful towards younger female teachers and instead of taking good advice they run home with stories. We struggle to maintain a good standard,” he said.
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