Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi has described the stabbing incident that happened at Paul Mosaka Primary School as embarrassing. The MEC was speaking to teachers and learners at the Pimville based school on Tuesday morning.
This comes after an ex teacher at the school attacked the principal and stabbed him several times in full view of some of the learners.
“What happened at your school was very unfortunate and it should have not happened. We will work with the police to ensure that the perpetrator does not get bail for his safety and that of other teachers and the learners,” Lesufi said.
It is reported that the teacher who is suspected of stabbing the principal was fired because of having fraudulent qualifications.
Ward 22 Councollor Lizzy Mabasa said the matter involving the teacher was first brought to her last year.
“It was brought to my attention that there was a teacher with fraudulent qualifications who is intimidating the principal. The police were informed but they couldn’t arrest him becauseMabasa not done anything. I am very shocked and disturbed about what happened in front of the learners,” said Mabasao.
She said she spoke to the parents of the learners and tried to calm them down on Monday after the incident. The MEC assured the learners that their principal was recovering well at hospital and will be back to the school soon. “Right now I want you to go back to class, forget everything else and focus on your studies so that you can pass and be doctors and pilots,” Lesufi told learners.
The Department of Education has organised counseling for the learners and the MEC confirmed that exams will continue as planned at the school for those learners who can cope and counseling will be provided for those who can’t cope.
The attack has raised concerns about safety at public schools in this country as it happened inside the school premises.
The issue of fraudulent qualifications has also came under spotlight with Lesufi saying it is embarrassing that the teacher had been in the school with fake qualifications even before the principal came in.
