Durban - The National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa) has called for the KZN Department of Education to take a tough stance against pupils bringing dangerous weapons to school as well as the return of counsellors, following the death of two matric pupils in separate incidents in the Pinetown district.
This comes after the KZN Education MEC Mbali Frazer announced in a statement on Wednesday, the death of two matric pupils in the province.
Frazer said a Grade 12 pupil died after he was allegedly stabbed by a Grade 10 pupil at Mandlenkosi High School.
“The candidate was rushed to a nearby clinic for medical attention, but unfortunately succumbed to his injury.”
In a separate incident, Frazer said a Grade 12 candidate from Unqhele Secondary School allegedly committed suicide at home on Tuesday morning after writing her isiZulu exam.
Speaking to “The Mercury” on Wednesday, Naptosa KZN chief executive, Thirona Moodley, said the union was saddened by the loss of these two matric pupils.
“It is so unfortunate that at the end of their schooling career they have met with such unfortunate circumstances,” she said.
Moodley said violence in schools has plagued us for many.
“It is about time we took a tough stance on those learners who are carrying dangerous weapons to school that they can use on other learners,” she said.
With regard to the management of schools, Moodley said there has to be more search and seizures and random searches to prevent pupils from carrying weapons to school.
“We hope that the perpetrator will be held accountable with the intervention of the criminal justice system and SAPS. An example must be set, not considering the fact that the pupil may be under age,” she said.
Moodley said the pupil who allegedly stabbed the matriculant had criminal capacity and must be held accountable to ensure that this does not happen again.
“That learner has lost all of the schooling years, the parents will feel the loss as well as the community and the school,” she added.
Commenting on the second incident, Moodley said there are no longer counsellors at schools and they need to be brought back.
“At this time of the year when matrics are writing, there is a lot of anxiety, stress that comes with the writing of these examinations, and I must leave this at the door of the Department of Education,” she said.
She further explained that even at the district offices there is no one able to visit schools and talk to pupils and counsel them, especially those in Grade 12 who cannot cope with the mental anxiety and the stress of writing exams.
“And throughout the year, there should be ongoing counselling provided by the department to actually avoid these unfortunate circumstances. It is really such an unnecessary loss of life,” said Moodley.
Moodley added that Naptosa had been calling for counsellors to be provided in clusters.
“Children growing up at this age and being teenagers need direction. They need purpose and help from professionals.
“Teachers are busy delivering the curriculum. They do not have the time to provide counselling as well. The department really has to look at this, even if it's in a staggered approach, where they first provide counsellors to the matric students in schools. It has to be done,” she said.
The MEC offered her condolences on behalf of the department to the families, schools and communities of the two pupils.
“As a department, we are very concerned and will not condone school violence,” said Frazer.
She said the community must be aware that the department’s Psychology Services must be informed when parents, guardians and educators suspect unusual behaviour patterns in pupils, to avert such tragedies.