Murder, suicide reignites school security debate

A murder and suicide at an Empangeni school have reignited the debate over stricter security measures at schools.

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Durban - A murder and suicide at an Empangeni school have reignited the debate over whether more stringent security measures should be introduced at schools, including installing metal detectors and hiring armed security guards.

While parent bodies are willing to consider such measures to keep pupils safe, teachers’ unions are at odds over what some see as the “militarisation” of schools.

The National Teachers Union (Natu) is leading the charge for metal detectors to be installed at schools, and for armed security guards, in the wake of this week’s shooting at Qantayi High in Empangeni.

A Grade 12 pupil reportedly shot and killed another pupil and then turned the gun on himself earlier this week.

Last week a 15-year-old Pietermaritzburg boy pleaded guilty in the Durban’s regional court to killing a peer, and the attempted murder of another.

The boy, who had taken his father’s gun to school, said he had had enough of being bullied, and so ended the life of his tormenter.

On Thursday Natu deputy president Allen Thompson said the KwaZulu-Natal Education Department should employ armed guards to search pupils and seize guns, knives and other dangerous weapons.

Natu is also calling for police patrols at schools in the mornings and afternoons.

Thompson argued that with increased police visibility, pupils and outsiders would be deterred from criminal acts.

Thompson said the shooting at Qantayi High had happened in full view of pupils and teachers – and that the tragedy could have been averted if the school had had metal detectors.

“For every 200 learners the department should employ one security guard, so if the school has 1 000 learners it will have five security guards. Security guards should search the bags of learners when they enter the school premises,” Thompson said.

He also said faction fights (in communities) sometimes spilt over into schools and pupils started fighting each other with pangas and bush knives.

 

Tim Gordon, chief executive of the Governing Body Foundation, said while there should not be a one-size-fits-all approach for safety measures at schools, metal detectors and regular police presence outside the school gates could not be discounted.

“Schools are meant to be places of safety, so one is shattered and worried that a pupil could be killed on school grounds. And there are some schools where the danger is greater than others.

“In a school with a high risk, one has got to consider metal detectors and such things. Any realistic plans to make schools safer would receive our support. But the education budget is finite, and the only realistic option would be for money to be taken from the pot for teaching posts.”

Matakanye Matakanye, general secretary of the National Association of School Governing Bodies, said if armed guards would save children, it should be considered.

“But there must be checks and balances so that children are not further endangered or victimised.”

Matakanye said his association ran an “adopt a cop” campaign, which saw a cluster of schools working closely with a nearby police station to quell crime and violence.

The national Basic Education Department recently argued strongly against the regular presence of police to curb the high incidence of violence at South African schools.

The National Professional Teachers Organisation of SA (Naptosa) and the SA Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) have also warned against “militarising” schools.

On Thursday, both the unions advocated more education about bullying, drugs and crime, and greater parent and community involvement.

“Rather have more teachers, with smaller classes, and administrative assistance,” Naptosa president Basil Manuel added.

Nkosana Dolopi, Sadtu deputy secretary-general, said parents and communities needed to take ownership of schools.

“We must work on minds, that is the greatest weapon,” Dolopi said.

Manuel and Dolopi said schools in areas such as the Cape Flats might need more than one security guard, but were against guards being armed.

Earlier this month department officials told parliament’s portfolio committee on basic education that the regular presence of police at schools increased mistrust and undermined respect for authority.

The department said measures used to address violence which proved ineffective were armed security guards, who had no effect in identifying and mediating potential conflict.

A zero tolerance of drugs, alcohol and violence marginalised “problematic” pupils and failed to address the root causes of their behaviour.

Instead, effective evidence-based strategies to prevent school violence included:

* Reduced class sizes.

* Training teachers to identify “at risk” pupils, and on classroom and behaviour management.

* Building relationships between schools, parents and community leaders.

* Increasing access to social workers and counsellors.

Thompson said the national department’s stance meant it had lost touch with what was happening in classrooms.

He said at many schools the only form of security was “an old man at the gate”.

The Mercury