NOTE: This article was corrected

Principals in Mitchell’s Plain have raised concern around the safety of educators, after the principal of Tafelsig High School was threatened by a learner at the school on Friday. According to sources, the pupil threatened Rushda O’Shea following a misunderstanding between the two. Five teachers were required to restrain the learner, who subsequently proceeded to smash the lights of the principal’s car. The learner was consequently escorted off the school’s property and charges have been laid with the South African Police Service.

Speaking to VOC News, teacher of Glendale High in Mitchells Plain and a member of the Progressive Principals Association (PPA), Faik Abrahams, explained that the learner has been previously reprimanded and that the school has a record of his previous misdemeanours.

Describing the incident as very sad,  Abrahams urged the broader community to acknowledge the state of schools.

While he urged the community to assist the learner where possible, he encouraged community members to be proactive and take action in order to improve environments of education.

“We need to reach out to the community and say that we cannot tolerate this sort of behaviour, specifically in township schools,” he stated.

Abrahams further urged parents to seek assistance if they discover that their children are abusing drugs.

“Go to the authority or go to the schools and reach out for love and support for the learners. Since, they are a challenge to the safety and to the education of our community,” he continued.

He encouraged residents to participate in protest action against violence in schools that is scheduled to take place outside Tafelsig High on Monday morning, between 7:30 and 10:00.

VOC