SEDIBENG – School bags were searched, cupboards were opened, and learners were left with nowhere to hide as authorities cracked down on dangerous and banned items at different Vaal schools.

Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile joined police-led search-and-seizure operations at six schools across the region on September 2.

The swoop formed part of the province’s ongoing school safety campaign, with the number of schools searched now reaching 23.

The schools targeted were Sehopotso Secondary and BoteboTsebo Secondary in Sebokeng, Residensia Secondary in Vanderbijlpark, Sapphire Secondary in Bophelong, and Mahareng Secondary and Lekoa Shandu Secondary in Sharpeville.

During the unannounced visit, a total of 123 prohibited items were recovered.

Among the items were 43 disposable vapes, 29 pairs of scissors, four knives, 10 broken mirrors and five boxes of matches.

Police and education officials also found 30 items containing oil spice, a mathematics instrument and a space cookie.

Speaking at Sapphire Secondary School, Maile said the findings showed why regular school safety operations were necessary.

“We cannot afford to allow our schools to become spaces where prohibited substances, dangerous objects and other harmful items are allowed to circulate,” he said.

Maile added that the fight could not be left to teachers and police alone.

He called on parents to step up and teach their children discipline, responsibility and respect.

According to the MEC, keeping schools safe requires parents, schools, communities, law enforcement and government to work together.

The operations form part of the department’s “It takes a village to raise a child” programme, which promotes shared responsibility for learner safety and wellbeing.

Maile said the ultimate goal was to make schools safe places where learners can concentrate on their education without fear or harmful distractions.