Cape Town – A Grade 10 learner from Cravenby Combined School is fortunate to be alive after being stabbed by a fellow learner during school hours on Tuesday.
The victim was swiftly transported to hospital following the attack and is currently in recovery.
According to a concerned parent, who wished to remain anonymous, the sequence of events began the day before the stabbing. The parent explained that a Grade 8 learner allegedly attempted to steal the Grade 10 learner's bicycle, leading to a confrontation.
The parent further claimed that the knife used in the attack was brought onto the school premises by an individual from outside the school, raising concerns about ongoing security lapses.
"The parent’s concern is about the perimeter of the school. There are gangsters who jump over the school fence frequently. I believe the weapon was brought into the school by an outsider," the parent added.
The parent expressed deep concern about the potential consequences of the attack and the trauma experienced by other learners. "This is a serious matter. If that boy had put [more] pressure, the victim would have been stabbed in the heart. The school needs to emphasise better security. It could have been my child… body," the parent lamented. "It is bad. It’s in the middle of exams and the trauma that the other learners had to go through is not right."
In response to the incident, the school principal issued a letter to parents acknowledging the gravity of the situation.
The letter stated: “There was an unfortunate incident at school where a Grade 10 learner was stabbed with a knife by a fellow learner. All relevant authorities were immediately contacted, including the department and the police."
The school principal also assured parents that the School Governing Body (SGB) would address the disciplinary aspects of the matter in accordance with the school's code of conduct for learners.
“The School Governing Body (SGB) will now deal with the disciplinary matter in terms of the school’s code of conduct for learners," the letter continued.
The principal urged parents to engage in open communication with their children, encouraging them to report any instances of misconduct and to refrain from taking matters into their own hands. The importance of avoiding actions that could lead to suspension or expulsion from school was also emphasised.
“We urge parents to have a conversation with their children to report any misconduct and not to take any matters into their own hands, as well as to stay away from any incidents that may lead to suspension or expulsion from school," the letter stated.
The school's commitment to prioritising the safety and well-being of all learners was reiterated, with a pledge to take decisive action against anyone who poses a threat to their security.
“The SGB regards the safety of all our learners as high priority and will act with the necessary urgency against any person who threatens the safety of our learners," the letter concluded.
Bronagh Hammond, spokesperson for the Western Cape Education Department, confirmed the incident and provided additional details.
She said: “A Grade 8 learner allegedly stabbed a Grade 10 learner yesterday at school. The perpetrator immediately fled the scene."
Hammond confirmed that the school had taken immediate steps to provide medical assistance to the victim and that counselling services had been made available to learners.
“The school arranged for immediate medical assistance and the victim was transported to hospital. The victim is thankfully recovering. The school will institute disciplinary procedures and has provided counselling to learners," Hammond stated.
While Ravensmead police are aware of the incident, Western Cape police spokesperson Anelisiwe Manyana confirmed that no cases have been opened as yet.
The stabbing at Cravenby Combined School has cast a spotlight on the challenges faced by schools in maintaining a safe and secure environment for learners. The alleged security breaches and the presence of outsiders on school grounds have raised serious questions about the effectiveness of current safety measures.
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