Department must act on violence at schools

Department must act on violence at schools

The DA saddened by the tragic death of a learner at Makhosonke High School in Moloto who, according to DA sources, was killed at school by rival gang members.

There have been numerous reports in recent months of extreme violence in schools where teachers and other learners are left fearing for their lives.

It is extremely concerning that schools in Mpumalanga are fast becoming hubs for serious crimes, bullying, drug and substance abuse with seemingly, no intervention from the department of Education.   

In the 2014/15 second quarter progress report under the programme of school safety, the department states that no progress has made in installing alarm systems at eight schools or in procuring drug testing devices for 100 schools.

The department must review its low target of only supplying 100 schools a year with drug testing units because this effectively means that it will take 18 years for all 1 800 schools in the province to receive a drug testing unit.

In August this year, the Executive Council approved the provincial integrated school safety plan which is an integrated approach by the different departments to deal with the safety of learners in school.

This plan sought to ensure that schools provided with metal detectors, learners are empowered on drug prevention and that schools are fenced off.

The DA strongly urges Education MEC, Reginah Mhaule to prioritise the implementation of the integrated school safety plan because as it stands, there is no real measure in place to ensure that learners are safe at school.

All children deserve to be educated in a safe environment that enables them to be the best that they can be. The DA will continue its plight to ensure that learners protected from all forms of violence at schools so they can focus on their education.