Used condom found at school, teachers check girls for sexual activity

JOHANNESBURG - The management of Jardao College must write a letter of apology to parents of girl pupils at the school, the Gauteng education department said on Monday.

"The MEC for education, Panyaza Lesufi, has instructed the school management of Jordao College to write a letter of apology to parents of Grade 10 to 12 girl learners at the school," spokeswoman Phumla Sekhonyane said in a statement.

She said this followed reports of alleged sexual harassment at the school last week. "It is alleged that female learners at the school were inspected by teachers for sexual activity after a cleaner found a bloodied condom in the girls' toilet".

She said the school agreed to apologise to South Africans.

"We agreed in the meeting that we needed to apologise unreservedly so to South Africans. We believe it's very important to respect the dignity of our learners," Sekhonyane said.

Lesufi said this was not the way to treat girl children.

"This is not the way to treat girl children. We will protect their rights."

Lesufi instructed that all the information presented to him during the meeting be handed over to the SA Human Rights Commission.

"They are better positioned to investigate matters of this nature, so when they give us a report of their findings, then I will take action."

A team of counsellors has been stationed at the school to provide counselling services to the affected children.