Learner stabbed at Boksburg High

A Grade Nine Boksburg High School learner was stabbed on the premises on October 23 after a group of about eight boys forced their way into the school.

Information gathered by the Boksburg Advertiser suggests the attackers, believed to be learners from Reiger Park Secondary School, jumped over the school fence to gain entry during the break hour.
Response teams from a local security company and police arrested the intruders, and they were detained at Boksburg Police Station.
The motive for the attack remains unclear at this stage, and efforts to get more information from the Boksburg SAPS spokesperson, Sergeant Ntsako Ledwaba, proved unsuccessful on Friday.

Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson Steve Mabona said the department condemns this behaviour in the strongest terms.
GDE said it is working closely with the police to ensure that justice is served and that safety measures at the school are reviewed and strengthened.
Education MEC, Matome Chiloane, said: “We are deeply saddened by this violent act and wish the injured learner a full recovery.”
This stabbing incident comes just over a month after a Grade 11 learner was assaulted by a group of fellow students at the school.
The family of the boy, who subsequently called for urgent steps to restore order at the school, has voiced their displeasure over what they describe as a lack of transparency regarding the school’s handling of the disciplinary hearing against the learners responsible.

“It has been frustrating trying to get feedback from the school and the authorities investigating the assault. When we enquired, the school told us that it had already imposed a punitive sanction on one of the perpetrators but refused to tell us what sanctions were imposed, citing respect for the accused’s privacy.
“We were told that we need to send an application to the department. Apparently, all the boys involved are back at school.
“It’s disappointing. Whatever action is taken against the perpetrators should at least be made known to deter other learners from engaging in violent acts. Parents deserve to know what the school is doing to protect their children from bullies.”
The Advertiser understands that the boys involved are facing a case of assault, and the docket is now with the prosecutors at court for decision.

More incidents come to light
A group of female learners at Oos-Rand School of Specialisation in Reiger Park were captured on video assaulting another female learner on the school grounds on October 22.
The footage went viral on social media.
Mabona confirmed that disciplinary processes against the implicated learners are underway in accordance with the school’s code of conduct.

A Boksburg mother has raised concerns about the safety of children at Freeway Park Primary after her child was punched in the private parts on October 21.

The school confirmed to the Boksburg Advertiser that the incident is under investigation.
The mother claims this was the latest in a long history of bullying that has left her child emotionally scarred and struggling at school.
She said the bullying caused fear and inflicted lasting trauma on her child.
“I raised the matter with the school, followed up constantly, and tried to get help, but nothing has been done. He cannot concentrate at school.”
The school principal, Walter Rakgole, said they are aware of the situation and added that the school doesn’t tolerate bullying.
“The GDE reiterates that bullying, in any form, has no place in our schools, and we will continue to enforce zero-tolerance measures to ensure the safety and well-being of all learners,” said Mabona.

The MEC for Education in Gauteng, Matome Chiloane, urged communities to play an active role in ensuring schools remain safe spaces for teaching and learning.
“Such incidents are deeply regrettable and undermine the values of respect, dignity and care that we strive to instil in our learners. We will ensure that disciplinary processes are carried out swiftly and that support is extended to all affected learners.”

Also Read: Bullying in SA schools: What all parents need to know