Durban – KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube says a request would be made for more visible policing around schools during the exam period after a Grade 12 pupil was stabbed to death this week.
Dube-Ncube on Thursday visited Mandlenkosi Secondary School in Ntuzuma, Durban, where the matric pupil was alleged killed by a Grade 10 pupil on Tuesday.
Dube-Ncube condemned violence in schools and urged pupils to solve problems peacefully through dialogue and not through violence.
“We came here to give support to the teachers and learners following a very unfortunate and sad incident where one of the learners lost his life at school,” said the premier during her visit.
She said the government was saddened by the incident that happened at a time when pupils should be focusing on their final examinations.
“We have spoken to the learners. We will also be reaching out to the rest of the school and the communities just to preach to them the importance of having our children understand and value life and to know that it is not correct to be violent. Everything that happens can be solved through dialogue and communication.”
[WATCH] KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube visited Mandlenkosi High School in Ntuzuma this morning , where a learner stabbed a Grade 10 learner to death and this has negatively impacted both learners and teachers. pic.twitter.com/TGhf9Db8L0
According to the premier, the government will be approaching the Department of Health for additional psychosocial support to assist more people with counselling.
She said the incident must have disturbed many pupils and educators.
“Educators come here wanting to impart knowledge and to make the kids grow and learn, but they confront incidents such as this one where lives are lost in their hands or in front of them.”
Dube-Ncube said the government was approaching the police to ensure that there would be police visibility during exams.
“We know that we are going to be getting additional police in KwaZulu-Natal during this festive season. Throughout you will see that when we unveil the festive season plan.
“We have also requested that there (should be) a high visibility of police in the school, but also in other schools to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again.”
The premier extended condolences to the family, pupils and the school.