Deputy Principal of the Realogile High School in Alexandra was stabbed by one of the learners at the school.
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has shared that this incident has angered the school community, and is suspected to have been the driving force behind a learner unrest.
It has been alleged that the suspect of this incident is a grade 11 learner who had been called into the office on this fateful day for reported misconduct.
According to reports, the learner stormed out of the office only to return with the weapon, assaulting both the school’s Principal and Deputy Principal. Subsequent to this, it is alleged that the Deputy Principal sustained injuries and had also been rushed to a local medical facility.
In a statement, GDE Minister Panyaza Lesufi said:
It is concerning that some learners were reported to have even brandished firearms during the said unrest.
Realogile learners had allegedly marched to five other high schools in the area, removing learners from their classes in an attempt to mobilise them to join the protest.
It is said that the learners were standing in solidarity with the injured school head and were also demanding safety in their schools.
However, Lesufi has urged learners to refrain from acts of misconduct and use appropriate channels to raise important matters. It is said, police arrived at the scene of the unrest and managed to restore order, resulting in learners dispersing to their respective homes.
The department has shared that matriculants who were writing their preliminary examinations were not affected by this unrest and successfully wrote their exams.
As the 2021 matric cohort is currently sitting for their preliminary exams, in a matter of time they will be sitting for their final exams.
