'More school time, less attacks'

HEADMASTER: KIDS EMULATE BAD HABITS AND VIOLENCE THEY SEE IN COMMUNITIES

- Masoka Dube

"Children should spend most of their time in school to ensure they become disciplined and manageable.

This is according to David Lovatt, headmaster of King Edward VII School (KES) in Johannesburg, who was commenting on the violent behaviour that is rampant in schools throughout the country.

South Africa's schools are facing a high number of cases relating to violent behaviour in which children are killing each other and attacking teachers.

Pupils have formed gangs and some individuals are attacking others with dangerous weapons like knives, screwdrivers, hammers and sharp objects.

Recently, six pupils were arrested in connection with the stabbing to death of a pupil at Humansdorp Senior Secondary School in the Eastern Cape.

The teenagers, whose ages range from 16 to 18, allegedly killed Liyolo Wakeni during a fight that took place on the school premises.

A few months ago, the principal of Hoërskool Roodepoort was stabbed on her hand while trying to stop a fight between pupils from different schools.

Lovatt, who is the leader of what is said to be one of the most disciplined schools in South Africa, explained the strategies he thinks could assist in quelling school violence, which has already claimed the lives of many pupils.

"If we can emulate what is happening in other countries, especially in Europe and the US, most children spend most of their time in school, which means they don't have enough time to interact with the communities.

"This assists the children to minimise chances of emulating bad habits and violent behaviour happening within communities.