A Grade 1 teacher at Thembalethu Primary School in the Western Cape has been temporarily suspended after a video showing a learner without food during a classroom fundraising activity went viral, sparking widespread outrage on social media and a protest outside the school. The incident relates to a school fundraising initiative known as “Pie Day”, where learners were asked to contribute R40. Learners who participated in the fundraiser received a pie and juice.
The video shows several Grade 1 learners eating their pies and drinking juice while one learner sits next to a classmate with his face covered by his hand, appearing not to have any food. The teacher addresses the parents in the video, saying, “We don’t speak while we eat; we eat. Here they are, parents, they are eating.” She instructs one learner to open her pie and start eating, adding, “Here is the pain, parents. All the kids in class are eating, but one. All the school supplies I bought and today I paid for a child that a parent did not pay for.”
A source claimed the video was intended only for the class parents’ group and was not meant to be shared publicly, alleging that important context may be missing from the clip. The source said the teacher had attempted to arrange meetings with the learner’s parents before the video was recorded and later purchased a pie and juice for the learner herself.
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) confirmed it is aware of the incident and has launched a formal investigation. WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said, “The WCED is aware of a disturbing viral video involving a Grade one learner who was filmed in class by a class teacher.” Hammond added that the teacher had purchased the fundraising item for the learner, but the approach taken was unacceptable, saying, “The manner in which this was done, however, was totally inappropriate.”
The department confirmed the teacher is currently not at school and has been temporarily suspended while a formal investigation is conducted. Officials also confirmed the educator has no previous disciplinary record. Hammond said counselling support has been offered to both the learner and the learner’s parents, stating, “The WCED remains committed to ensuring that all learners are treated with dignity and care, and that appropriate professional conduct is upheld at all times. A thorough investigation is now under way.”
The incident sparked a community protest outside Thembalethu Primary School, with parents and community members demanding answers from school authorities and the education department. Regional director Jewel Jonkers confirmed the teacher had been suspended while the matter is investigated. The incident has also prompted public support for the learner, with an online fundraising effort raising over R30,000 for the child.
