A parent has expressed concern over the safety of learners and teachers at Pacaltsdorp Secondary School in George in the Western Cape after a number of learners apparently threw horse manure at teachers, and an axe and machete were confiscated from two learners.

The parent, who does not want to be named, says there was also an incident in which urine was thrown over a teacher. The car of another teacher was smeared with mud.

She says the manure and mud were passed over the fence by children from outside the school yard at the back of the building where it abuts Reicher Park. On Friday a small axe and machete were also confiscated from two pupils.

“Some of the culprits climbed on the roof of the school, trying to get away. The department must see to it that something is done to improve the safety of learners and staff on the premises. I think all learners should be searched before entering the school grounds.”

Escorted home by police

Western Cape Education Department spokesperson Bronagh Hammond confirmed that an axe and machete were confiscated from a Gr 9 and 10 learner respectively. “The matter was reported to SAPS and they were escorted home by the police. They will face a disciplinary hearing.”

Regarding the allegations of manure being thrown at teachers, Hammond said: “The principal is aware of Gr 12s throwing mud at each other on Thursday. The situation escalated with teachers trying to stop the events, to no avail. Opposite the school perimeter was a mud pool which was used. The police was contacted and the learners dispersed.”

She said on Friday, the matriculants’ last day of school, the learners again started throwing mud, which resulted in learners of different grades participating. The alleged use of manure has not yet been confirmed, but the school is investigating and identifying the learners concerned.

“While there are ways and means to celebrate, this is not acceptable behaviour. Parents are encouraged to actively encourage their children to come to school to ‘Enter to learn’ and to respect their teachers and abide by the code of conduct. Discipline starts at home and any form of disruptive behaviour at school is condemned.”

‘Onus also on parents’

She said the school can manage discipline to an extent, but the onus is also on the parents to instil values that will contribute positively to their community and school environment. “The actions of the learners are simply not fair to the teachers and their fellow learners and cannot be condoned.”