2 2025
Unique Number:
Due date: 21 August 2025
QUESTION 1
1.1.
The term in loco parentis is a Latin phrase meaning “in the place of a parent.” In educational
settings, it refers to the legal and moral responsibility that teachers and school staff assume
over learners in their care, particularly when learners are away from their parents, such as
during excursions. When learners attend school-sponsored activities like the Kruger National
Park trip, the school assumes parental responsibility for ensuring their safety, well-being,
and discipline, as a reasonable parent would (Beckmann & Prinsloo, 2019).
In this case, Progressive Pathways Academy (PPA) and its staff took on full responsibility for
the learners, including Thabo and Lerato, during the trip. This included ensuring they were
safely accommodated, supervised, and protected from foreseeable harm. Specific duties
included enforcing curfews, monitoring their whereabouts, and responding appropriately to
any misconduct. As loco parentis caretakers, the school had a duty not only to discipline but
to do so in a way that safeguarded the learners' health and emotional security. Sending a
minor home alone at night, without appropriate arrangements or emotional consideration,
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QUESTION 1
1.1.
The term in loco parentis is a Latin phrase meaning “in the place of a parent.” In
educational settings, it refers to the legal and moral responsibility that teachers and
school staff assume over learners in their care, particularly when learners are away
from their parents, such as during excursions. When learners attend school-
sponsored activities like the Kruger National Park trip, the school assumes parental
responsibility for ensuring their safety, well-being, and discipline, as a reasonable
parent would (Beckmann & Prinsloo, 2019).
In this case, Progressive Pathways Academy (PPA) and its staff took on full
responsibility for the learners, including Thabo and Lerato, during the trip. This
included ensuring they were safely accommodated, supervised, and protected from
foreseeable harm. Specific duties included enforcing curfews, monitoring their
whereabouts, and responding appropriately to any misconduct. As loco parentis
caretakers, the school had a duty not only to discipline but to do so in a way that
safeguarded the learners' health and emotional security. Sending a minor home
alone at night, without appropriate arrangements or emotional consideration, could
be seen as falling short of this duty. The principle expects the school to act with the
same care as a cautious, attentive parent would under similar circumstances.
1.2.
Mr Dlamini’s decision to send Thabo and Lerato home immediately—especially at
night—raises concerns regarding his obligations under in loco parentis. A reasonable
parent would not send a child alone into a potentially unsafe travel situation in the
dark without proper arrangements and support. The concept of loco parentis requires
acting with prudence, caution, and a prioritisation of the child’s safety. Although
Thabo and Lerato violated the PPA Excursion Policy, an immediate expulsion
without considering the time of day, travel conditions, emotional impact, or
alternative discipline undermines the school's duty of care (Beckmann & Prinsloo,
2019).