/ 22 March 2006

School’s head boy loses title over cellphone pics

The head boy of a rural high school in the northern Free State has lost his title after allegedly sexually harassing schoolgirls, Die Volksblad newspaper reported on Wednesday.

The boy among other things apparently sent photographs of himself naked to some of these girls with his cellphone, according to the report reproduced on News24.

Two of them are receiving counselling to help them cope with the traumatic experience.

The principal confirmed the incident, saying the boy has been stripped of his title.

Many parents and schoolmates are, however, of the opinion that the boy has not been punished severely enough, and that the school is viewing drinking at parties as a bigger offence than sexual harassment.

The principal said the boy has not been expelled, but that he is not head boy any more. Rumours that he has only temporarily been suspended as head boy for one term are not true, he said. — Sapa