If metal detectors are necessary in certain schools to guard the safety of pupils, they must be used, the Democratic Alliance (DA) said on Tuesday.
DA education spokesperson David Quail said there had been over 20 deaths in schools this year, and that media statements of shock and sympathy from the department are not enough to solve the problem.
”Urgent actions are necessary. Schools must be given more support to prevent more fatalities. National and provincial governments must find emergency funds,” Quail said.
On Monday a 14-year-old grade seven pupil stabbed a 13-year-old grade six pupil at Edleen Primary School in Kempton Park. The pupil was rushed to hospital.
Meanwhile, Minister of Education Naledi Pandor met the Council of Education Ministers (CEM) in Cape Town on Monday to discuss safety in schools.
The minister’s spokesperson, Lunga Ngqengelele, said Pandor and the council were aware of the apparent erosion of discipline in some schools and certain measures were put in place.
About R5-million will be given to each province for focused interventions.
A national draft code of conduct will also be made available to all schools and it will be published visibly in schools.
Ngqengelele said schools will be encouraged to set up safety committees and that guidelines on random drug testing within constitutional limits will be drawn up in the next few weeks.
The School Safety Regulations of 2001 will also be made widely available.
A standardised ”national learner profile instrument”, which will facilitate the transfer and tracking of pupils, was also approved, Ngqengelele said.
Over the past months there have been many violent incidents at schools.
A 14-year-old Johannesburg pupil appeared in court last week for allegedly stabbing a fellow 19-year-old Forest High pupil to death.
Nkosana ”Simon” Mbhele was stabbed four times and died on October 9 when he demanded that the 14-year-old pupil repay a loan.
In August a grade 11 pupil, Sihle Msomi, was stabbed to death over a cigarette by a grade nine pupil in KwaZulu-Natal.
Also in KwaZulu-Natal, Thabiso Dlamini (18) was denied bail after he allegedly stabbed Zimisile Sithole (20) to death at the Mdingi High School last week.
And an Eastern Cape schoolboy was hospitalised two weeks ago after he was stabbed by another Lungiswa High School pupil during a class break. — Sapa