A Grade 3 learner was found with a knife, holding his fellow learner hostage in a school bathroom in Midrand.
This then prompted the Midrand police to conduct a school safety programme where they searched learners at Nokuphila Primary School, in President Park.
According to Love Trust, who founded the school in 2009, the Grade 3 learner has since been dismissed from the school.
The incident happened on April 7 and on May 11, police conducted the search.
Spokesperson of the Midrand Police Station Constable Eliot Mabulane said the aim was to ensure a safe place of teaching and learning as school safety is becoming the biggest worry in some communities.
“The learner was found with a knife in the bathroom – threatening to stab his fellow learner and held his peer hostage in the school’s bathrooms. This was a general search for dangerous weapons and drugs and, more importantly, creating awareness and educating the kids on the dangers of using drugs.” .
Mabulane said they [police] raided the school together with the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (Sanca), youth desk, gender-based violence brigades, crime prevention, Hawkeye Security, ARN security and SAPS from Johannesburg District.
Love Trust’s director of academics, Silas Pillay said the learner in question was allegedly threatening another Grade 3 learner with a knife in the school bathroom. This was an isolated issue.
“A thorough internal investigation was conducted, wherein the learner concerned, as well as primary and secondary witnesses [staff and learners] were interviewed. Thereafter, due process was conducted in terms of stringently following the School’s Code of Conduct. As a result, after a disciplinary hearing was conducted [with parent in attendance] the learner was dismissed.”
He added that learners’ safety at the school was being taken seriously and they have a range of measures which includes regular monitoring.
Station Commander of the Midrand Police Station Brigadier Molefi Tsotsotso said he appreciates the initiative in conducting school searches to keep all learners and teachers safe.
“We welcome the working relationship with the management of the school in informing the police about this. It may not have ended well if we had not intervened early. We appreciate all stakeholders that are always involved and by so doing, it shows how dedicated we are.”
He concluded that the issue of drugs, bullying and use of dangerous weapon in schools was a concern to them and urged parents to play their role in helping them (authorities) combat such acts in schools and the community at large.
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