Alarming rise in school violence

Grade-9 pupil stabbed, water thrown over teacher

- ROBIN FRANCKE

SCHOOL pupils across South Africa have been wreaking havoc all week, with the latest incident occurring on Thursday at a school in the Eastern Cape.

A Grade 9 pupil from Enkwenkwezini Senior Secondary School in Alice, in the Amathole West Education District, was assaulted and stabbed with scissors by two fellow pupils.

The Eastern Cape Department of Education condemned the act of violence and acknowledged the swift response of the school principal and staff who immediately assisted the victim, notified the parents, and reported the matter to the police.

Department spokesman Vuyiseka Mboxela confirmed police apprehended the perpetrators.

“The department appreciates the work of the police, which led to the accused being apprehended,” Mboxela said.

“The Department is relieved to report that the condition of the pupil is stable and that they were able to identify the perpetrators, who are believed to be fellow pupils. The department has deployed its Circuit Manager, school inspectors, and psychosocial support staff to the school to support pupils and ensure a safe learning environment,” Mboxela said.