School suspends pupil who set teacher's hair alight

The Grade 8 pupil who stands accused of setting his teacher's hair alight has been suspended pending an investigation by the Western Cape department of education.

The child and the teacher, 26, will be offered counselling.

During a history lesson last week, the boy apparently used a lighter to torch Sharidene Meyer's long hair. On Tuesday the child appeared before a disciplinary hearing at Crestway High School in Steenberg.

"We have been informed by the [school governing body] that a recommendation will be made to the department for his expulsion," department spokesman Bronagh Casey said yesterday.

"The pupil has been suspended pending the outcome of the department's own hearing."

She said the department would provide Meyer with all the "necessary support and counselling". The pupil will also be counselled.

"Support is given to all learners who face expulsion or serious misconduct charges. This could be to address the learner's behavioural issues and assist them in dealing with the situation they now find themselves in," said Casey.

Meyer's father Gerard said she is battling to cope emotionally after the incident. He criticised the way the principal insisted his daughter finish her lesson after her hair was set alight.

"That was insensitive, inhuman and unprofessional of him," said Gerard.

Meyer teaches geography, history and Afrikaans to 13 classes. Each class has about 50 pupils.