During a check at Badirile Secondary School in Houghton, Carletonville, it was discovered on Tuesday morning that students were carrying prohibited items, including knives, a fork, scissors, and vapes.
This operation was conducted by the Gauteng Department of Education in collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS), with support from the Gauteng traffic police, road inspectors, Community Policing Forums (CPF), patrol officers, and local residents.
The MEC for the Gauteng Department of Education, Lebogan Mabile, stated that the department has been engaging with stakeholders over the past three months and receiving numerous complaints regarding violence and crime in schools.
He noted that a recent press conference was held concerning violence and crime in educational institutions, where various short-term, medium-term, and long-term intervention measures were presented. One of the short-term steps, part of the health and safety strategy, is conducting regular checks in collaboration with the police, sometimes with media involvement and sometimes without.
Mabile characterized Badirile Secondary School as one of the most problematic schools in the province. He stated that some students threaten teachers, claiming they will call 'zama zamas and criminals' to kill educators. Furthermore, he mentioned the presence of students involved in gang activity who do not attend classes at all.
According to Mabile, when he checked their textbooks, he found nothing because they do not come to school for lessons, but only to eat the food intended for students and terrorize both students and teachers.
The department received complaints about bullying at this school via social media last week but decided not to react publicly. Mabile explained that the department was already aware of the situation through reports from community members during meetings, and they informed him that it is one of the most notorious schools. He also mentioned that there was a murder at the school earlier this year, which escalated the situation.
Mabile also asserted that five teachers had repeatedly been absent from work, failed to teach, and frequented taverns during working hours. He reported that he would receive a report from the attendance register, as he instructed his labour relations unit to investigate and take action against these employees. Moreover, these same teachers are the subject of a petition submitted by other educators.
Before leaving the school, Mabile checked whether the teachers were in their posts. He found that several teachers were in the staff room, explaining their presence as preparation for lessons and waiting for the timetable, and were able to account for their stay.
These teachers also took the opportunity to express their dissatisfaction by discussing many unresolved issues at the school.
Mabile emphasized that the operation on Tuesday would not be a one-off event. He stated that an agreement had already been reached with the police regarding further actions, although he would not discuss these plans publicly. The school is under close scrutiny, as the goal is to ensure order over the next few weeks. In addition to crime, violence, bullying, and gang activity, the main problem is a lack of discipline.
He added that the absence of a permanent principal contributed to the school's problems. Therefore, he instructed the district to immediately appoint an acting principal while the process of hiring a permanent head is underway. It is necessary to restore discipline and strengthen parental involvement.
Mabile also ordered that parents of students involved in disciplinary matters must report to the school immediately. He warned that if they do not come, he will send officials to their homes. Some of these students have been suspended but are so defiant and disrespectful that they tear up their suspension letters.
He cited an 18-year-old Grade 9 student who comes to school only to eat the provided food. Nothing was found in his textbooks upon inspection because he does not attend classes. Mabile stated that students who do not attend lessons should not be allowed on school grounds and instructed officials to take appropriate action.
He also ordered the district director to meet with all teachers, present the new acting principal, and speak with the staff. The district director will also meet with the school board so that it can fulfill its duties. Mabile added that a parent meeting would be convened.
In conclusion, he stressed that anarchy cannot be allowed in schools, and their intention to decisively tackle this issue was serious. Among the confiscated items were knives, a fork, scissors, and vapes. Mabile also plans to conduct similar surprise inspections in other schools across the province, which is part of the provincial government's strategy to combat violence, bullying, and crime in schools.
