The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has listed gangsterism and bullying as critical issues that are compromising the safety of learners in schools.
GDE MEC Matome Chiloane announced his remarks over the weekend at the second leg of the School Safety Imbizo held at Faranani Community Hall in Tsakane, Ekurhuleni.
Chiloane earlier this month revealed that 245 schools were identified as high-risk concerning safety and violence in the province.
He told parents who attended in numbers that learners only join gangsters to protect themselves from bullies and potential attackers.
“We took this decision to have these imbizos because we had identified schools that were at risk. The issues we have been meaning to identify in this area, are the issue of gangsterism and bullying.
“Our children get involved in gangsterism and bullying for one reason, for safety because they know if they are not part of a gang, they are most likely to be attacked and abused,” said Chiloane.
The increased level of school fights among learners was another concerning issue.
The MEC mentioned that school fights have escalated to the extent that learners use deadly weapons.
“We know there is an increase in fighting, there is an escalation. They can have altercations, but it is the degree of violence being utilised has worsened, they use knives and weapons.
“While children have fought in schools for years, the situation has now escalated to a matter of life and death. There are also drugs; gangs are using schools as a territory,” said Chiloane.
Fifty-three schools have been identified as high-risk, where Ekurhuleni South has 15, the north side of the region has 12 schools, and 26 schools were identified in Tsakane.
Chiloane stated school gangs use names such as “Nkabi Nation”, “Boofs” and “Amabutho” to identify themselves.
“These are the gangsters our children currently subscribe to and disrupt our schools,” he said.
The GDE has set up interventions to tackle violence in schools, such as intensifying the presence of security officials during contact time.
Chiloane noted that the police, wardens and patrollers in communities are ensuring schools are safe. Security officials are supposed to work in schools for only a month.
“We have deployed private security to work. It is an interim intervention for schools to stabilise, it is not a permanent intervention.
“That is why we are looking at different interventions such as bringing dogs to guard our schools at night. We are looking to bring trained dogs that will not bite children. There have been success stories in some areas, where they used dogs to protect schools against vandalism,” said Chiloane.
There is also concern about the involvement of parents, local communities and the school governing body (SGB) regarding projects intended to improve schooling systems in the province.
“We took a very progressive decision as GDE to increase class capacity in our schools with our Self-Build programme. The Self-Build programme is that we give schools money to build additional classrooms. We transfer (money) to schools, and the school needs to appoint a contractor,” stated Chiloane.
“Some schools have done well, but some have never moved. Immediately when the money enters the school bank account, the principal claims to be hijacked which is very suspicious. We need to protect these projects to prevent a dilapidated school.”
The MEC reiterated that parental involvement in their children’s lives would drastically reduce a spate of violence and gangsterism in schools.
“Parents, you are our silver bullet to resolving this thing. We cannot get this right if parents are not on board. Schools teach, you must teach your children discipline and respect,” said Chiloane.
The 53 schools identified in Ekurhuleni are:
Ekurhuleni North District:
*Dinoto Technical Secondary
*Liverpool High
*Madibatlou Secondary
*Masiqhakaze Secondary
*Norkem Park High
*Phomolong Secondary
*Sizwe Secondary School
*Tlamatlama Primary School
*Winnie Mandela Secondary
*Winnie Mandela Primary School
*Bekekayo Secondary School
*Kingsway Secondary School
Ekurhuleni South School District:
*EdenPark Secondary School
*Ekurhuleni Primary
*BuhleBuzile Secondary
*Ekurhuleni School of the Deaf
*Landulwazi Secondary School
*Manzini Primary
*Boksburg High School
*Oosrand Secondary
*OR Tambo Secondary
*Phumula Gardens Secondary
*Reiger Park Secondary School
*Magagula Primary
*Mpontsheng Secondary
*Windmill Park Secondary School
*Zimeleni LSEN School
Gauteng East School District:
* Alrapark Secondary School
* Caiphus Nyoka Secondary
* Dalpark Secondary School
* Davey Secondary
* Hoer Tegniese Springs
* Kwa-Thema Skills
* Eureka High School
* Geluksdal Secondary
* Iphahamiseng Primary
* Khombindlela Primary
* Langaville Secondary
* Lefa-Ifa Comprehensive
* Lekamoso Secondary
* Laban Mothlabi Comprehensive
* Madingoane Primary
* Olympia Park LSEN
* Phandimfundo Secondary
* Nigel Secondary School
* Nkumbulo Secondary School
* Zithembeni Primary
* Phakamani Secondary
* Rivoni Secondary
* Roseview Primary
* Sechaba Primary
* Tlakula Secondary
* Vezukhono Secondary