CAPE TOWN - The Western Cape Education Department said schools need more extramural activities to keep pupils engaged.
School violence is under scrutiny after a Grade 10 pupil’s death at Bellville South High School.
The pupil died after an alleged classroom assault by another learner, reportedly linked to a cellphone theft two months earlier.
Western Cape Education spokesperson Bronagh Hammond has noted with concern how violence in society, particularly gangsterism, tends to spill over into the school grounds.
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She said pupils participate in gangs in their community and sometimes that comes into the school environment.
As such, she said it is very important to create a healthy school environment where there are after-school activities to keep pupils active and off the streets.
"Our focus is on anti-gangsterism and just conflict resolution. We have many programs with regards to substance abuse as well as GBV campaigns, anti-bullying campaigns.
"It's just providing that support for the learner, identifying learners at risk and then also getting in the psychosocial support that is required. But I think it's very important to keep learners doing other activities, especially those teenage boys. she said.