Parents of learners at Klapmuts High School are demanding answers from the principal and the school governing body (SGB) after a stabbing incident took place in the school grounds on Tuesday morning (25 February).
The school was closed and learners were sent home following the incident around 09:00, after which Klapmuts police and Public Order Police (POPS) were called to assist.
According to a parent who wished to remain anonymous to protect their Grade 10 child, a learner was stabbed “with a very long knife” following an argument with other learners at the school.
Bronagh Hammond, spokesperson for the provincial education department, confirmed the incident. “A Grade 10 learner stabbed another Grade 10 learner, and no other learners or teachers were injured. The incident caused panic in the community, prompting parents to come to the school, which caused further disruption,” she said in a statement.
A public meeting was held with the SGB and Klapmuts police at the school, where numerous parents were present to voice their concerns and fears regarding their children’s safety.
During the meeting parents expressed concern that violence among learners at the school was a recurring issue.
They cited a specific incident last year, in which a learner was stabbed in the back during school hours following an argument with his peers.
Eikestadnuus asked the department which solutions can be implemented to circumvent such incidents, but did not receive any response.
The SGB, however, suggested at the meeting that one possible measure could be conducting bag searches on learners on entry to the schoolgrounds to prevent weapons such as knives from being brought onto the premises.
The SGB also emphasised to parents that “respect starts at home”, encouraging them to instil good, positive morals and values in their children, which would hopefully help combat violence on school premises.
The media could not remain for the duration of the meeting.
According to Hammond, the SGB was to hold another meeting on Tuesday evening to discuss safety arrangements at the school and to determine the next steps in consolidating disciplinary procedures.
Additionally, counselling support had been arranged for the learners of the school for Wednesday 26 February.
Klapmuts police, including spokesperson Sergeant Madilyn Dombas and the station commander, Captain Jacobus Moos, had not responded to Eikestadnuus’ enquiries at the time of going to print.
The newspaper, among other enquiries, also sought to determine whether any arrests had been made.
