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.
In a statement released by the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), MEC Chiloane said:
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,
According to the 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 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 department said the learner was admitted to hospital with stab wounds to the neck and was discharged later in the 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 skipped school to go on a “drinking spree”.
The department says that the learners then returned to the school later in the afternoon and started a fight with a group of grade 10 and 11 boys.
“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.” said Mabona
Additionally, on Wednesday, a group of parents forcefully locked the gates at TM Lethlake Secondary School in Bekkersdal, preventing learners from attending class and obstructing school 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."
Mabona added that district officials held a meeting with the parents and assured them that these issues would be investigated and attended to accordingly.
