East school ropes in parents after mass brawl

The Willowridge High School governing body (SGB) east of Pretoria has distanced itself from the rumour that gangs are causing distress at the school.

Despite this, over 100 parents have been roped in as volunteers to support the school in the Die Wilgers in establishing discipline, safety and security committees to aid learners and staff during conflicts.

The plan was effected on April 11 following “isolated incidents of fighting” at the school.

In March, two learners were taken to a clinic after a brawl involving an alleged gang of learners.

The mass fight prompted police to use pepper spray to separate those involved, who are now undergoing disciplinary processes, said the department.

Parents who wished to remain anonymous out of fear that their children would be victimised told Rekord that the school had been plagued by a string of huge fights staff had failed to control.

They alleged the fights might be “school-gang” related.

The parents further alleged that the school has faced teacher shortages because of a high turnover due to failed leadership.

SGB chairperson Dr Lusani Netshitomboni confirmed the fight but said it occurred outside the school.

“The incident happened on March 15 after a sporting event. It is important to note that the incident happened just outside the school gate.”

He said the school takes all precautionary measures to ensure the security of staff, learners as well as visitors to the school during all sports events.

Dr Netshitomboni acknowledged that there is always room for improvement but distanced the school from the gang rumour.

“The SGB has put in place measures to ensure that teaching and learning happens in a safe environment. In addition to the permanently appointed security personnel, the school has contracted a security company to assist in ensuring a secure environment. This has been in place long before the incident in question,” he said.

He said after the incident, the SGB called a meeting with parents on the March 19, with the following objectives:

– to inform and update them on what had transpired

– to implore them to give their time and expertise to support the school effort towards the creation of a safe teaching and learning environment

He said more than 100 parents responded.

“A follow-up meeting was held with them on April 11.”

He said at this meeting the following parent committees were established to work closely with the SGB:

– safety and security

– discipline

– educational and emotional support to the learners and staff

– fundraising

He an investigation identified the learners involved in the fight and “disciplinary processes have been instituted in line with Gauteng department of education guidelines”.

“I must reiterate that Willowridge high school is not gang-infested as alleged. As part of the process of ensuring safety and security, the school works closely with the police to keep abreast with the developments in the surrounding areas.”

Asked about the alleged shortage of teachers, Netshitomboni said the school has a teacher complement of 55.

“Out of this total, 21 are SGB employed and 34 GDE employed. In the event of a resignation by a GDE employed teacher, the pace at which the position is filled is dependent on the GDE processes, as the SGB can only make recommendations which are subject to the GDE and applicable timelines.”

He said the school recently appointed a principal to fill the position that had been vacant for almost a year.

“Naturally, the lengthy appointment process is likely to present a degree of uncertainty among staff, which in some instances might lead to resignations. The GDE has recently advertised a deputy principal position for the school.”

He said it is envisaged that this additional capacity will ensure a greater degree of stability at the school.

“The SGB continues to support the school management team to make sure that, at governance level, we support effective running of the school.”

Education department spokesperson Steve Mabona said the school recently increased the number of security personnel and was further supported by the police, ADT security company and metro police.

Mabona said information at the department’s disposal revealed that an altercation between a parent and a group of boys allegedly sparked a fight.

“The department is aware of the commotion that took place on Friday, March 15 outside the school, [at] which unfortunately learners sustained injuries and were taken to a local clinic.”

Mabona said necessary disciplinary processes were underway against implicated learners.

“The outcome thereof will be communicated in due course to all affected parties,” Mabona said.

He said the GDE ensures proper procedures such as disciplinary hearings and psychosocial support are followed.

“The school is being assisted to come up with preventative measures, to curb the possibilities of recurrence.”

While the matter may be concluded as soon as the disciplinary hearing is finalised, remedial action may take longer depending on the programmes that learners may be subjected to, such as diversion programmes for behaviour modification and counselling, he said.

“A team of district officials, the psychosocial support team, has been allocated to assist the school,” he told Rekord.

He said the department strongly condemned any misconduct that undermines the dignity of learning institutions.

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