Gauteng education MEC Matome Chiloane is concerned about pupil ill-discipline following numerous incidents among pupils at Gauteng schools this week, including a stabbing and serious fights.
The incidents were reported to the Gauteng department of education (GDE).
“We strongly condemn acts of ill-discipline and unruly behaviour by learners at our schools. We must remind all learners, parents and the community at large that our schools are institutions of learning and teaching. Therefore, we appeal that they be treated as such. Any form of ill-discipline and unruly behaviour will be met with disciplinary action, and lawful action if necessary,” said Chiloane.
On Wednesday, there was an incident reported at Altmont Technical High School in Protea South, Soweto, where a Grade 8 boy was allegedly stabbed in the neck by a boy in Grade 9, outside the school premises.
“The injured learner was rushed to a nearby clinic and was later transferred to a hospital to receive further medical attention. Fortunately, the learner was discharged at midnight and is currently recovering at home,” GDE spokesperson Steve Mabona said.
The Grade 9 boy is facing suspension and other disciplinary processes, the department said.
The GDE said that on the same day, a group of Grade 12 pupils from Wendywood High School in Wendywood, Sandton, reportedly skipped school to go on a drinking spree at a park near the school. They returned to the school in the afternoon and allegedly started a fight with a group of Grade 10 and 11 pupils.
"Seven Grade 12 learners were taken into custody by Sandton police officials following this incident. They have since been released on R1 000 bail each, and they also face suspension and further disciplinary action for their unruly behaviour,“ Mabona said.
Also on Wednesday, the department said it was reported that a group of parents from TM Letlhake Secondary School in Bekkersdal, Westonaria, allegedly forcefully locked the gates of the school and prevented pupils from attending class.
The Randfontein Herald reported that the incident emanated from concerns about violence, ill-discipline and the lack of teaching after an incident outside the school premises where three pupils allegedly stabbed four other pupils during a fight on September 14.
“These parents state that they were protesting for issues that include the appointment of a new principal, disciplinary action to be taken against educators who are allegedly not teaching learners, and the implementation of the school’s code of conduct against learner misconduct at the school,” Mabona said.
The department said district officials held a meeting with the parents, where they were assured that these issues would be investigated and attended to accordingly. The GDE said an administrator was also deployed to ensure that learning and teaching resumed at the school yesterday.
Lastly, on Thursday, October 13, a Grade 9 pupil from Pretoria Central High School in Pretoria West was allegedly assaulted by five female pupils during school hours on the school premises.
“The assault was with the intent to do grievous bodily harm, as part of the learner’s hair was removed from her scalp, resulting in her head having bruises and swelling. The perpetrating learners were identified and suspended. They await a disciplinary hearing for their actions,” Mabona said.
He added that the department’s psychosocial support team has been dispatched to all affected schools to offer necessary support.
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