Security to patrol Goodhope Senior School
Tumelo Mouwane | Thursday September 28, 2017 18:00
This was revealed by the regional education director, Acro News Maseko recently when addressing students in a mass meeting following a strike that left one security personnel injured.
Over 1,700 boarding students were temporarily expelled from the boarding facility on the morning of September 8, following two days of protests at the school. The school management, village leadership and the regional education office decided to re-admit the students into the facility after intense talks with the students parents.
Maseko said some of the resolutions, which will be adopted with immediate effect, are strict implementation of the school’s code of conduct and actions will be taken for any inappropriate behaviour whether minor or major.
“We have resolved to re-admit the students into the boarding facility and it must be once again said that boarding is not a right but rather a privilege.
The headmaster has the powers to expel students out of the boarding facility. Parents have apologised on behalf of their children and from here the schools code of conduct will be implemented without mercy.
“I am going to source funds to engage more security personnel into the school for the next two months until the end of the examination period,” Maseko said. One of the parents, Masego Mooketsane said they have urged the school management to apply strict rules and ensure punishment for unbecoming behaviour is meted out.
“We urge the school management to close any gaps which may be lead to further indiscipline in the school. Let corporal punishment be implemented for any form of unwanted behaviour. We are available to assist as parents,” she said, adding that, “the school code of conduct must be implemented and students should not be allowed to exit the school unless a parent comes physically to the school to seek permission for their child”.
The head teacher, Terrence Seitiso said amongst other measures to be implemented is the intense monitoring of movements of students in and out of the school.
“We agreed with the parents that no student should be given permission to exit the school without a parents’ consent unless in issues of illness. Parents will now have to personally come to the school to seek permission for their children. Only biological parents of the students or a guardian who has been declared will be able to seek permission for their children. Some of these behaviours are encouraged by the fact that students leave school pretending to be attending family matters whilst they head to unknown destinations,” Seitiso said.
Students' sexual liaison, alcohol consumption, marijuana use and fights are said to be rife at the 2,000-capacity school.
The recent protests were sparked by two boys who were found at girls’ hostels engaging in sexual activities. It is not yet clear what disciplinary measures were taken against the students after they were released from police custody. Last week Friday ,students were released for a short vacation, but the situation was reported to be calm at the institution two days after the protests. Examinations will begin on October 2.