Respect your teachers, MEC pleads

Gauteng education MEC Matome Chiloane has urged pupils to respect their teachers and their elders, during his visit to Primrose Primary School in Germiston, Ekurhuleni, where a Grade 6 pupil allegedly shot the principal last week.

Before the shooting, the principal saw sixth-grade pupils sitting in the foyer on Friday, and instructed them to take out their workbooks to study, the Gauteng education department said.

The 13-year-old boy then reportedly uttered something in response to the principal, who ignored the comment. Later in the day, it is speculated the same pupil shot the principal in the staff room.

The principal was rushed to hospital, where he is recovering from his injuries.

It is alleged that the firearm belongs to the pupil’s parent.

The SA Police Service (Saps) is investigating the shooting and has since arrested the teenager for attempted murder.

Yesterday, Chiloane told Primrose Primary School pupils the shooting incident was “not normal” but unprecedented.

“What I can tell you is that it’s not something that usually happens at schools. Don’t be afraid when you come to school. Schools are safe. That child did something that shocked all of us because he is your age. He is your friend and you could not [predict his actions],” he said.

Chiloane confirmed that the boy was in custody.

“It is unfortunate what’s going to happen now because once you do something like this, even your future gets compromised,” the MEC said.

“We don’t know what is going to happen to the child, but he is in the jail for children. They must not tell you that there is no jail for children. There is jail for children and it is not nice.”

Chiloane further urged the pupils not to disrespect their teachers. “You must listen to them because your teachers are your parents in school.

“If you respect your mother and father at home, you must [do the same with your teachers] at school,” he said.

This month, Chiloane was met by a tough crowd of disgruntled parents after an alleged stabbing incident at a school in Ennerdale, south of Joburg.

The MEC went to Oakdale Secondary School on Friday after a Grade 8 boy was stabbed to death.

The pupil was allegedly stabbed after a fight broke out outside the school’s premises on 8 February. A Grade 10 pupil was also injured.

It is alleged that the incident was influenced by gang violence among pupils from different schools in the area.