JOHANNESBURG - Two suspects remain at large after allegedly entering an Alexandra primary school, robbing learners and staff and fleeing with laptops.
The incident at Iphutheng Primary School has renewed questions over how criminals are accessing school premises and whether existing security measures are enough to protect learners and teachers.
The suspects allegedly entered the school via 17th Avenue before stealing five laptops -- four belonging to learners and one to a teacher.
Learners were also reportedly robbed of their bags, while several shots were fired during the incident.
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The Gauteng Education Department has since deployed a psychosocial support team to counsel learners and teachers affected by the robbery.
But the department says its response goes beyond counselling.
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has been pushing for a community-wide approach to school safety, involving Community Policing Forums and other stakeholders.
Gauteng Education MEC spokesperson Onwabile Lubhelwana said the department is also looking at AI-enabled access-control systems that could identify people with previous criminal records when they attempt to enter school premises.