PRIORITISE SAFETY AT SCHOOLS

THE shocking news that Zeerust teacher Gadimang Daniel Mokolobote was allegedly stabbed to death by a pupil once again highlights the seriousness of the lack of safety at our schools. The DA extends its deepest condolences to the Mokolobote family, as well as the pupils who have been left traumatised by their teacher’s death.

Before this tragic incident, a pupil was arrested for pointing a gun at an Eldorado Park teacher, and several videos of violent attacks against teachers have been circulating on social media.

The DA has travelled to various places in the country including Eldorado Park – where there have been several shooting and stabbing incidents – highlighting the plight of children who are forced to learn in hazardous environments.

While we have been fighting to keep children safe at schools, we believe teachers also deserve to work in safe environments.

It is unfortunate that it took the death of a young, promising teacher for national attention to be turned to the situation in our schools. The attacks we have been seeing recently are just the latest additions to a long history of school violence. Urgent intervention by government is needed, otherwise terror will continue to reign at schools.

Among other recommendations, the DA has proposed that enough SAPS resources be made available to protect schools from crime. Also, Safe Schools call centres, such as the one in the Western Cape, should be established in all provinces to help curb school violence.

The ANC government can no longer turn a blind eye to the wanton violence that has gripped schools across the country. Pupils and teachers both deserve to be protected from harm. We urge the government to act swiftly and prevent further loss of life at schools. | MP