For a few hopeful weeks early this year, Minerva Secondary School was celebrated as the unlikely jewel of Alexandra.
The school delivered a stunning 97% matric pass rate, briefly suggesting that the troubled township school was on its way to shedding its violent reputation. Yet that optimism proved short-lived. Barely four months into the academic year, learners at Minerva are once again caught in a culture of violence, one that threatens to undo the very progress that had raised expectations.

Teachers say the situation at the school is grim, as dangerous weapons have become a chilling reality. Learners have reportedly tried to smuggle pocket knives and even dagger-like objects onto school grounds. This was revealed at a meeting held on April 15 at Minerva, following a recent brawl in which two learners were stabbed.

Read more: Gangsterism ensnares Minerva Secondary School’s Grade 8 learners

To date, three learners have been stabbed in just four months. Teachers themselves have not been spared. Alex News has learned that one teacher was allegedly assaulted by a learner only weeks ago, and she recently suffered yet another attack when she was slapped by the parent of a learner accused of sparking the latest brawl. Some teachers allege that the violence is not simply the result of quarrels, but is linked to gang activity within schools. Reports suggest that some Grade 12 learners at Minerva act as gang leaders, recruiting vulnerable Grade 8 learners into their ranks.

Deputy chief education specialist at the Gauteng department of education Phillemon Mogobe confirmed that Grade 8 learners are among the most unruly, and described how older learners exert influence over them. “Our learners are doing bad things. If your child is in Grade 11 or 12, and is over 16, we will open a case. Learners don’t realise that having a criminal case is serious.”.

Brigadier Vusimuzi Ngubane doubled down on the warning, highlighting how criminal records can derail futures. “Once your child has a criminal case, he may finish school but won’t get a job.”

Also read: Two learners stabbed in Minerva Secondary School brawl

Furthermore, he urged restraint in language, noting that the learners should not be called gangsters. “Our children are not criminals. They are groups supporting each other like friends. Let us not call them gangs.”

In response to growing safety concerns, Ngubane said security at the school entrance must be tightened. “We will try to assist teachers. We will also conduct searches with the help of traffic wardens and the CPF.”

Despite the violence, parents, police, and teachers remain determined to ensure that the school sheds its violent reputation, and reclaims the promise it briefly held.

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