In light of recent events reported by Sowetan Live, where a North West mother faced backlash for taking legal action against a school principal accused of injuring her son, it’s crucial for school leaders to understand how to handle such situations effectively. The principal was arrested after allegedly hitting the child with an electric pipe and this is what led to a prolonged injury that caused the child to be hospitalised. Despite this being a serious matter, community members criticized the mother for her decision to press charges.

PROCEDURE IN CASE OF A PRINCIPAL FACING LEGAL ACTION

1. Be Professional:

Being calm and composed is crucially important throughout the legal process. Avoid being emotional or defensive, as this may worsen the situation.

2. Legal Advice:

Seek advice from a lawyer to know what your rights are pertaining to the case. Familiarizing yourself with the legal processes will enable you sail through effectively.

3. Record-keeping:

Keep a complete record of incidents, communications and actions taken. Through thorough recording, one can have solid evidence and clarity during litigations.

4. Open Dialogue:

Maintain open lines of communication with concerned parents and other stakeholders involved in the matter. This is an indication of willingness to engage in dialogue with them that some-how makes them calm down.

5. Mediation:

Think about using mediation as a way of resolving conflicts amicably. It is less adversarial than confrontation and it helps come up with win-win solutions which is where both sides end up happy.

6. Support System:

Rely on your comrades who include fellow administrators, teachers, and school board members for help etc., at this juncture part of their knowledge may exceedingly save you from making mistakes.

7.Policy Analysis:

Take another look at the policies governing schools to establish whether they are clear enough and consistently applied by all staff members at all times as well; avoiding any further occurrences like these shows commitment towards safe environ

By following these steps, principals can better manage the complexities of legal disputes and maintain a positive and supportive school environment.

Sources:

• Sowetan Live article by Herman Moloi and Botho Molosankwe
• “School Administrator Emergency Response: Dealing with Difficult Parents” from Educational Network Services​ (CSAER)​
• “What Great Principals Really Do” from ASCD​ (ASCD)