Johnathan Paoli
Speaking from the grounds of Primrose Primary school, the MEC for Education Matome Chiloane said the recent attack upon the principal was an unexpected shot from the dark, despite being a planned assault.
Chiloane said on Monday that whilst the department was taking every measure to ensure the health and safety of all pupils, it remained alarming that no one could really predict an extreme situation of violence such as this.
In line with the policy of the Gauteng Department of Education, maintaining and sustaining educational values in the area has proven all but impossible.
MEC Chiloane outlined the problem of both parents and communities abandoning children once they enter educational institutions.
He said that the department was setting out psycho-socio programs to assist the community in moving on from this traumatic event.
However, Chiloane has called for the might of the law be meted out against the 13-year-old learners’ parents, and confirmed that the father of the accused was similarly charged with child neglect
“How did the child get a hold of the gun is what is running in our minds. For that irresponsibility the parents will be charged. Such recklessness will be dealt with. I hope a high sentence is done to set an example to many parents that they must be responsible all the time and monitor their children ” Chiloane said.
This stands in line with previous calls, that while there is a desperate need for transformation within educational structures, similarly there is a requirement for transformation and specifically more involvement of parents and the community in the education of the youth.
INSIDE EDUCATION
