It was September 2003, the time of year when we, as educators, experience all sorts of problems with learners, especially the grade 12s.
I was the chairperson of the school’s disciplinary committee, assisted by six members.
I made sure everything we did was correct and this meant reading and understanding the relevant documents, policies and procedures.
One day a grade 12 girl decided not to write down her homework. Not only that, but she slept in class while I was teaching. Instead of overreacting, I calmly sought to get to the bottom of the problem by talking to her.
To my surprise, the girl brazenly defied me and displayed an unbearable arrogance towards me. I took the matter to the disciplinary committee and we decided to talk to her one more time. But still this did not work and I was left with no option but to mete out a punishment. I ordered her to sweep jacaranda leaves in the schoolyard.
But she refused saying she would do it in her own time. I threatened to lock her up in the office until very late if she did not carry out the order.
Then, suddenly, the girl collapsed and her body started shaking. It was clear she was not feigning it. I was so frightened I heard myself pleading with her to wake up and even promised to withdraw the punishment. I called her classmates to witness the tragedy and I was told that she always faints when she gets angry. But, for me, this was cold comfort. I wanted her to wake up.
The girl then woke up. To say I was relieved is to put it mildly.
What the incident taught me was that I should not treat all learners the same way because each one is different. Now, I make sure I get to know the history of each child so that I can respond appropriately when incidents such as this occur.
Thabitha Makola teaches at Glen Cowie Secondary School in Limpopo. She was a finalist in the category of excellence in secondary school teaching in the 2009 National Teaching Awards