Miss-Delectable
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News - Crime & Courts: Girl goes deaf, mom blames teachers
The mother of a Secunda pupil is claiming R2.1 million in damages from the Mpumalanga MEC for education, after her daughter went deaf in one ear when a fellow pupil shouted near her with a megaphone.
Judith Broodryk said in papers before the Pretoria High Court that the teachers at the Oranjegloed Primary School in Secunda had a duty to take care of pupils during school hours.
She blamed the accident on them, claiming that they failed to keep the children under control.
Broodryk's daughter, also named Judith, was 13 when the incident occurred in February 2005.
She said a boy, who was either permitted or given control of a megaphone, shouted into it near her daughter's ear.
The incident, Broodryk stated, was caused by the negligence of the teachers, because they failed to make sure that none of the children got hold of the megaphone.
She said they also permitted the children to handle the megaphone without instructing them how to use it.
They were also not warned about the dangers involved in the use of the megaphone, she said.
Apart from permanently losing the hearing in her right ear, Judith had severe pain.
She will have to undergo further treatment in future.
The mother's claim included R1.4m for hearing aids as it is estimated that Judith will need 10 replacements during her lifetime.
She will also have to undergo psychotherapy and consult audiologists as well as ear, nose and throat surgeons.
Her mother also claimed R350 000 in damages for pain and suffering, and the fact that she is now partially disabled.
Broodryk stated that the MEC for education was liable for the damages, as Oranjegloed Primary School is a public school under the control of the Education Department, which employs the teachers.
The teachers, it is stated, had a duty to control and supervise the pupils during school hours.
While the education authorities acknowledged this, they denied that the incident ever occurred and that Judith was left partially deaf as a result of the megaphone being operated close to her ear.
No date has been set for the hearing.
The mother of a Secunda pupil is claiming R2.1 million in damages from the Mpumalanga MEC for education, after her daughter went deaf in one ear when a fellow pupil shouted near her with a megaphone.
Judith Broodryk said in papers before the Pretoria High Court that the teachers at the Oranjegloed Primary School in Secunda had a duty to take care of pupils during school hours.
She blamed the accident on them, claiming that they failed to keep the children under control.
Broodryk's daughter, also named Judith, was 13 when the incident occurred in February 2005.
She said a boy, who was either permitted or given control of a megaphone, shouted into it near her daughter's ear.
The incident, Broodryk stated, was caused by the negligence of the teachers, because they failed to make sure that none of the children got hold of the megaphone.
She said they also permitted the children to handle the megaphone without instructing them how to use it.
They were also not warned about the dangers involved in the use of the megaphone, she said.
Apart from permanently losing the hearing in her right ear, Judith had severe pain.
She will have to undergo further treatment in future.
The mother's claim included R1.4m for hearing aids as it is estimated that Judith will need 10 replacements during her lifetime.
She will also have to undergo psychotherapy and consult audiologists as well as ear, nose and throat surgeons.
Her mother also claimed R350 000 in damages for pain and suffering, and the fact that she is now partially disabled.
Broodryk stated that the MEC for education was liable for the damages, as Oranjegloed Primary School is a public school under the control of the Education Department, which employs the teachers.
The teachers, it is stated, had a duty to control and supervise the pupils during school hours.
While the education authorities acknowledged this, they denied that the incident ever occurred and that Judith was left partially deaf as a result of the megaphone being operated close to her ear.
No date has been set for the hearing.