The Inkatha Freedom Party says it is high time now to act against uncontrollable levels of undisciplined learners, gangsterism, fighting between learners and dangerous weapons after the reports that leaners at Smero Secondary School in Pietermaritzburg are allegedly to be smuggling knives and drugs into the school.
“The law is clear that school is a dangerous weapon free zone – learners are not allowed to have any dangerous weapon. The school is a drug-free zone and all persons are therefore prohibited from bringing drugs onto the school premises.
We call for urgent arrests and disciplinary action on all those involved in turning a school into a war zone. We are no longer sitting on a ticking bomb and it is no longer ticking. It has already started exploding.
Gangsterism is the order of the day in most schools in the province. Leaners attend schools with dangerous weapons and drugs in their bags, while others become serious drug mules and even merchants. This problem is bigger and calls for more than just cooperation between police and school managements. Time is over for parents to push their responsibilities to school management or expect teachers to change the bad habits of their children. Parents must be hands on in disciplining their children.
The IFP calls on Education MEC Mthandeni Dlungwane to act decisively on this matter and ensure that acts of bullying and violent conduct are nipped in the bud at all schools. Education is a number one priority in the country and no parent should fear sending their children to school because they may be harmed,” said IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Education, Mrs Thembeni Madlopha Mthethwa MPL.
“Gun violence and drug abuse in South Africa today is a public health crisis, that requires a comprehensive and far-reaching solution. We must do more than pray for families who have lost their loved ones. It is time to act to prevent future deaths and injuries in our schools.
There is a need to tighten existing loopholes, regarding security and safety of learners and teachers in schools. Some leaners are doing things that they watch on tv or from the internet.
It is odd that the technology we have at our disposal, is not being used to advance our skill-sets but the smartphones, tablets and other devices are becoming weapons of mass destruction,” concluded Mrs Madlopha-Mthethwa.
The IFP believes that police should be able to carry out airport-style security checks for knives and guns in schools. Above that we reiterate our call that CCTVs and metal detectors must be installed in schools.
Issued by:
Mrs Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa MPL
IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Education
079 114 3015