Gauteng Education MEC, Matome Chiloane, is concerned about cases related to ill-discipline among learners at schools, following numerous incidents that were reported to the Department during the week.
According to the Gauteng Department Education (GDE), four cases of ill behaviour by learners and parents were reported between Wednesday and Thursday from different schools in Soweto, Sandton, the West Rand, and Pretoria.
On 20 October, 2022, there was an incident reported at Altmont Technical High School in Protea South, Soweto, involving a Grade 8 boy who was allegedly stabbed in the neck by another boy in Grade 9, just outside the school premises.
The Department reported that the learner has been admitted to hospital to treat the stab wounds he endured to the neck; he was discharged later that day.
"Fortunately, the learner was discharged at midnight and is currently recovering at home. The perpetrator faces suspension and other pending disciplinary processes following this unlawful act," says GDE spokesperson, Steve Mabona.
In a separate incident on the same day, Wendywood High School in Sandton reported that a group of Grade 12 learners decided to skip school to go on a “drinking spree”.
The Department says the learners then made a return-trip to the school later that afternoon, when a fight between the Grade 12s and a group of Grade 10 and 11 boys was ignited.
“Subsequently, seven Grade 12 learners were taken into custody by Sandton police officials following this incident. They have since been released on R 1 000 bail each, and they also face suspension and further disciplinary action for their unruly behaviour,” reads the media statement released by the GDE.
Additionally, again on Wednesday, a group of parents forcefully locked the gates at TM Lethlake Secondary School in Bekkersdal, essentially preventing learners from attending their classes and obstructing the school's operations.
"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," continues the statement.
Mabona added that district officials held a meeting with the parents and assured them that these issues would be investigated and attended to accordingly.
These incidents are not the first to take place this year, not just in Gauteng.
Back in September, a fight outside a North West high school, known as Maquassi Hills Secondary School, erupted and resulted in a gun allegedly being pulled out by a learner involved.
Concerns have been raised for the safety of learners and educators, with several teachers complaining about the behavior of some learners at school, as there have been numerous incidents of violence, intimidation and insults leading to the school community living in fear.
It has been revealed, through research conducted by the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) that teachers are facing pressure from learners who are not disciplined, and parents are not acknowledging that their children have behavioural issues in the classroom, when it comes to homework and curriculum recovery.
"We strongly condemns acts of ill-discipline and unruly behaviour by learners at our schools. We must remind all learners, parents and communities at large, that 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 by disciplinary action, and lawful action, if necessary," concluded the Gauteng MEC.
