CMG3701
Assignment 4
DUE 21 August 2025
, CMG3701
ASSIGNMENT 04
DUE DATE: 21 AUGUST 2025
Section A
Question 1
1.1 In loco parentis and duties of care (4 marks)
The principle of in loco parentis means that teachers and school authorities assume the
role of a parent when learners are under their supervision, particularly during school
trips and excursions. In this capacity, Progressive Pathways Academy (PPA) and its
staff had a legal and moral duty to safeguard the physical, emotional, and psychological
wellbeing of Thabo and Lerato. Specific duties of care included ensuring learners’ safety
in a potentially hazardous environment like the Kruger National Park, enforcing curfews
and camp rules, maintaining adequate supervision, and making disciplinary decisions
that a reasonable parent would make. This duty extended beyond normal school hours,
given the residential nature of the trip.
1.2 Analysis of Mr Dlamini’s decision under loco parentis (4 marks)
While Mr Dlamini was justified in being concerned about the learners’ misconduct and
the associated risks, his immediate decision to send Thabo and Lerato home at night
deviated from the expected standard of care of a reasonable parent. A responsible
parent would not send a child to travel home alone from a remote and potentially unsafe
environment, particularly late at night. The in loco parentis principle requires disciplinary
action to be proportionate, but always balanced against the learner’s immediate safety.
Therefore, although Mr Dlamini aimed to enforce the Code of Conduct, his response
compromised the learners’ protection, which is contrary to the core duty of care.
1.3 General duty of supervision vs. specific duty of care (4 marks)
Assignment 4
DUE 21 August 2025
, CMG3701
ASSIGNMENT 04
DUE DATE: 21 AUGUST 2025
Section A
Question 1
1.1 In loco parentis and duties of care (4 marks)
The principle of in loco parentis means that teachers and school authorities assume the
role of a parent when learners are under their supervision, particularly during school
trips and excursions. In this capacity, Progressive Pathways Academy (PPA) and its
staff had a legal and moral duty to safeguard the physical, emotional, and psychological
wellbeing of Thabo and Lerato. Specific duties of care included ensuring learners’ safety
in a potentially hazardous environment like the Kruger National Park, enforcing curfews
and camp rules, maintaining adequate supervision, and making disciplinary decisions
that a reasonable parent would make. This duty extended beyond normal school hours,
given the residential nature of the trip.
1.2 Analysis of Mr Dlamini’s decision under loco parentis (4 marks)
While Mr Dlamini was justified in being concerned about the learners’ misconduct and
the associated risks, his immediate decision to send Thabo and Lerato home at night
deviated from the expected standard of care of a reasonable parent. A responsible
parent would not send a child to travel home alone from a remote and potentially unsafe
environment, particularly late at night. The in loco parentis principle requires disciplinary
action to be proportionate, but always balanced against the learner’s immediate safety.
Therefore, although Mr Dlamini aimed to enforce the Code of Conduct, his response
compromised the learners’ protection, which is contrary to the core duty of care.
1.3 General duty of supervision vs. specific duty of care (4 marks)
