Gauteng Education Department gets tough on school discipline
JOBURG - Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi has taken a firm stance towards rooting out unwanted elements in the province’s schools to ensure that they remain places of learning.
Reporting on his first 100 days in office, Lesufi said he had dismissed 30 educators and expelled 57 pupils from schools across the province.
Of the 30 educators dismissed, 17 were dismissed for absenteeism, five for improper conduct, three for sexual assault, two for mismanagement of funds, and three others had each been dismissed for dishonesty, intimidation and contravention of policy.
“I have noted with concern the high number of educators who become absent from school without valid reasons and following proper procedure,” he said. “This compromises the delivery of effective quality education and at times results in learners losing valuable learning time.”
According to Lesufi, more than 50 percent of the 57 expulsions of pupils were due to pupils dealing, being in possession of or using of illegal substances such as dagga and nyaope.
“I am firmly of the view that effective teaching and learning cannot take place in an environment of lawlessness,” Lesufi said.
The Gauteng Department of Education was also in the process of finalising a policy on pupils’ uniform code of conduct to guide schools to address any form of ill-discipline or unbecoming behaviour occurring outside the school premises while pupils are in school uniform.
In a bid to address undesirable elements that had crept into schools, Lesufi identified and profiled at least 10 notorious gangs which had the potential to destabilise certain schools.
This was followed by raids and arrests made by police in a number of identified schools that had gangs, and to date 42 gang members had been arrested, Lesufi said, adding that further raids would be carried out at some schools.
“Currently, various programmes are being implemented to ensure that learners that are being reformed do not relapse back to their old ways – in partnerships with Department of Correctional Services, the Department of Social Development and faith based organisations.”
Further, the department was currently liasing with Independent Communications Authority of SA, to establish an active toll-free line to report criminal activities.
“Various options are being explored to establish a toll-free number to facilitate instant reporting on criminal activities by learners, teachers and communities, with rapid response,” Lesufi said.
