Western Cape Teacher Reinstated After Learner Lies Exposed in Misconduct Case

A Cape Town teacher who was dismissed after being accused of misconduct by her pupils has been reinstated and the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has been ordered to pay her more than R360,000 in back pay.

The Labour Court dismissed the WCED’s attempt to overturn a previous ruling in favour of Lee-Ann Snyders, a teacher at Primrose Park Primary School, who was fired in 2019 after being accused of insulting and mistreating learners.

A Bitter School Rivalry Gone Too Far

Snyders had taught at the school since 2013 before her career took a dramatic turn when a group of Grade 5 learners accused her of using derogatory language and other forms of misconduct. However, the accusations came from learners in another Grade 5 class, not her own.

The case revealed a long-running rivalry between the Grade 5A and 5B classes a rivalry that even extended to the teachers. The former principal admitted during testimony that the atmosphere was “toxic,” and the arbitrator later found that this environment likely fuelled the false claims.

The learners’ accusations included shocking allegations from racial slurs to inappropriate physical contact but most of these claims fell apart under scrutiny. One learner eventually confessed to lying under peer pressure, admitting that the group fabricated stories to “get the teacher kicked out of the school.”

Labour Court Sides With the Teacher

The WCED took the matter to the Labour Court, arguing that the arbitrator who reinstated Snyders was biased and had unfairly discredited the learners’ testimonies. But Acting Judge V Barthus disagreed, stating that the arbitrator had properly weighed all the evidence and was entitled to question credibility where inconsistencies existed.

Even though some name-calling had occurred, the court found that it did not justify dismissal, especially since other teachers had only faced warnings for similar offences. Instead, the court ruled that Snyders should have been subjected to progressive discipline, not termination.

A Story That Sparked Conversation

The ruling has sparked debate online, with many teachers expressing relief at the court’s stand for fairness in a profession often fraught with untested accusations. “It’s hard enough teaching today one false story can ruin a life,” commented one educator on X (formerly Twitter).

Parents, meanwhile, have weighed in on the responsibility of schools to balance discipline with fairness. “It’s a reminder that children can be influenced by peer dynamics,” wrote a Cape Town mother, “and that adults must always look at the full picture before making judgments.”

Justice After Six Years

After years of emotional strain and financial loss, Snyders is set to return to the classroom and her case may well become a reference point for educators across the country.

As Judge Barthus concluded, the department’s review application lacked merit, reaffirming the arbitrator’s original decision: Snyders must be reinstated and compensated in full.

For many in South Africa’s education sector, this ruling serves as a powerful reminder that justice though delayed can still prevail in the classroom.

{Source:IOL }

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