"The Department of Basic Education has stood by its decision to ask drama students to describe how they would stage the rape of a baby.
The matric exam question has seen teachers, students and parents express outrage over the question, which asks the students to stage the rape of a baby using a loaf of bread and a broomstick as props.
The question was part of the compulsory section of the dramatic arts exam written earlier this week by government schools.
The question included an extract from playwright Lara Foot’s play Tshepang, which was reportedly inspired by the 2011 rape of a nine-month-old baby in the Free State. "Baby Tshepang" was raped by her mother's boyfriend.
Students were asked to describe how they would portray the extract to "maximise the horror of the rape".
Department of Basic Education spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said in The Mercury that the subject matter was nothing new to the students
"By the time pupils are in matric, they have begun to be faced with the realities of adulthood, often beyond the security of their homes and the school system," he said in the report.
"They will, through media and cinema, have been exposed to many horrific images and reports," said Mhlanga."
Couldn't make it up!
This comes at the same time as the unfolding depravity of Lost Prophets Ian Watkins.
Unbelievable. What is there to say? Words fail...
For a look at the most recent, and frankly quite shocking rape statistics in South Africa, please click here and here.
If I get a reply to my e-mail to S.A Dept of Education, I'll post it here.
That is the most disturbing thing I have ever read !! feel sick to my stomach . what kind of world Is this we are living in ?
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