There cannot be safety at schools without discipline, WCED DG tells MPLs

Safety measures at schools are being discussed by members of the Western Cape parliament on Tuesday, following a spate of violence at schools in the province recently.

The safe schools provincial joint sub-committee is briefing the Western Cape standing committee on education about what's being done to curb violence at schools.

The briefing follows the arrest of an 18-year-old learner from a high school in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain, for allegedly stabbing four of his classmates.

Western Cape Education Department (WCED) deputy director-general, Alan Meyer, told members of the standing committee on education that there can be no safety at schools without discipline.

Meyer briefed the standing committee on Tuesday on the WCED's role in addressing school safety in the province.

"There can be no lasting solution to the challenges of learner safety and discipline unless two critical areas are addressed. They are not separate issues, so there cannot be safety without discipline."

Meyer said that both aspects were fundamental to building resilient school environments.

The WCED officials are set to be questioned about the department's safety programmes when the briefing concludes.

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