Opvoedersekuriteit en sportafrigting by skole : onderwysregtelike perspektief

Abstract

Sport in schools is an extension to the education of the child, and in most well functioning public schools coaching does takes place. Some troubling incidents concerning educators’ legal accountability during sport coaching necessitated this research. The focus of this study is on the safety and security of educators, especially during sport coaching. This study pays attention to educators in their positions as sport coaches, match officials and administrators at schools. This research falls within the field of Education Law and the educators’ security and safety are discussed from, amongst others, a common law perspective. To enhance the validity of the study, all the role players involved in school sport coaching are included. The Constitution, education legislation, occupational and health legislation, relevant case law and common law as legal determinants have been analysed. In the discussion of the common law the focus was on delictual liability as legal determinant. The study was a qualitative investigation of educators' perceptions. It was focused on participants in education in a specific geographic area, and the entire spectrum of stakeholders are involved. One prominent finding of the study is that educators are eager to learn more about the legal aspects of sports coaching. For most participants it is an unknown field and they think that if they are better informed, it can make a major contribution to their own safety and security, as well as those of learners. The central theme of the study the security and safety of teachers. The participants are convinced that in the training of coaches greater emphasis should placed on the development of legal knowledge. Educators have a passion for coaching sports and the emphasis is on developing the learner.