CMYG3701
ASSIGNMENT 4
DUE DATE: 21 AUGUST 2025
,CMG3701 ASSIGNMENT 4 2025
DUE DATE: 21 AUGUST 2025
SECTION A
Question 1
Explain the concept of loco parentis and identify the specific duties of care
Progressive Pathways Academy and its staff assumed towards Thabo and
Lerato during the school trip.
The concept of loco parentis means “in the place of the parent” (RSA, Department of
Education 1998a). When learners are at school or on an official school trip, the
authority and responsibility of parents are temporarily delegated to the teachers and
principal (RSA 1996c: s 3(4)(n)). This principle does not replace the parent but
requires educators to act reasonably and in the best interests of the learners.
At Progressive Pathways Academy, the staff therefore assumed the following duties
of care towards Thabo and Lerato during the trip
Ensuring safety and protection - they had to prevent learners from being exposed
to danger, such as moving into unsecured camp areas at night (RSA, Department
of Education 1998a).
Supervision and discipline - they were required to monitor learner behaviour and
enforce the Code of Conduct fairly and consistently (RSA 1996c).
Fair and responsible decision-making - they needed to hear learners’ explanations
and avoid unsafe disciplinary measures, like sending a child home alone at night
(RSA, Department of Education 1998a).
, Guidance and support - they were expected to discipline in a way that promotes
learners’ welfare and the aims of education (RSA, Department of Education
1998a).
Thus, under loco parentis, the Academy had a legal and moral duty to act as caring,
responsible parents while on the excursion.
Given the principle of loco parentis, analyse how Mr Dlamini's decision to
immediately send Thabo and Lerato home from Kruger National Park,
especially at night, aligns with or deviates from the expected standard of care
for a responsible parent or guardian.
Under loco parentis, educators must act as a reasonable parent would (RSA,
Department of Education 1998a). A responsible parent would protect their child from
harm, especially at night in a dangerous environment like Kruger National Park. By
deciding to send the learners home immediately, Mr Dlamini deviated from this duty
because the action exposed them to new risks instead of safeguarding them. The
proper standard of care required keeping them under close supervision until a safe
solution could be arranged.
Differentiate between the school's general duty of supervision and its specific
duty of care under loco parentis in the context of the learners' safety during
the excursion. Was Mr Dlamini's action fundamentally flawed in its application
of this duty?
The general duty of supervision requires teachers to monitor all learners, keep order,
and prevent foreseeable harm (CMG3701 Study Guide). The specific duty of care
under loco parentis requires acting like a parent in the learners’ best interests,
ensuring their individual safety and welfare (RSA 1996c). Mr Dlamini’s action was
flawed because instead of protecting the learners, he placed them in potential
ASSIGNMENT 4
DUE DATE: 21 AUGUST 2025
,CMG3701 ASSIGNMENT 4 2025
DUE DATE: 21 AUGUST 2025
SECTION A
Question 1
Explain the concept of loco parentis and identify the specific duties of care
Progressive Pathways Academy and its staff assumed towards Thabo and
Lerato during the school trip.
The concept of loco parentis means “in the place of the parent” (RSA, Department of
Education 1998a). When learners are at school or on an official school trip, the
authority and responsibility of parents are temporarily delegated to the teachers and
principal (RSA 1996c: s 3(4)(n)). This principle does not replace the parent but
requires educators to act reasonably and in the best interests of the learners.
At Progressive Pathways Academy, the staff therefore assumed the following duties
of care towards Thabo and Lerato during the trip
Ensuring safety and protection - they had to prevent learners from being exposed
to danger, such as moving into unsecured camp areas at night (RSA, Department
of Education 1998a).
Supervision and discipline - they were required to monitor learner behaviour and
enforce the Code of Conduct fairly and consistently (RSA 1996c).
Fair and responsible decision-making - they needed to hear learners’ explanations
and avoid unsafe disciplinary measures, like sending a child home alone at night
(RSA, Department of Education 1998a).
, Guidance and support - they were expected to discipline in a way that promotes
learners’ welfare and the aims of education (RSA, Department of Education
1998a).
Thus, under loco parentis, the Academy had a legal and moral duty to act as caring,
responsible parents while on the excursion.
Given the principle of loco parentis, analyse how Mr Dlamini's decision to
immediately send Thabo and Lerato home from Kruger National Park,
especially at night, aligns with or deviates from the expected standard of care
for a responsible parent or guardian.
Under loco parentis, educators must act as a reasonable parent would (RSA,
Department of Education 1998a). A responsible parent would protect their child from
harm, especially at night in a dangerous environment like Kruger National Park. By
deciding to send the learners home immediately, Mr Dlamini deviated from this duty
because the action exposed them to new risks instead of safeguarding them. The
proper standard of care required keeping them under close supervision until a safe
solution could be arranged.
Differentiate between the school's general duty of supervision and its specific
duty of care under loco parentis in the context of the learners' safety during
the excursion. Was Mr Dlamini's action fundamentally flawed in its application
of this duty?
The general duty of supervision requires teachers to monitor all learners, keep order,
and prevent foreseeable harm (CMG3701 Study Guide). The specific duty of care
under loco parentis requires acting like a parent in the learners’ best interests,
ensuring their individual safety and welfare (RSA 1996c). Mr Dlamini’s action was
flawed because instead of protecting the learners, he placed them in potential
