A number of schools have been plunged into crisis because of the shocking behaviour of their pupils.

A number of schools have been plunged into crisis because of the shocking behaviour of their pupils.

Last week, we published reports about several schools affected by violence, sexual misconduct and pupil pregnancies.

The most shocking incident involved two pupils caught by teachers having sex in full view of their classmates at Mandisa Shiceka Secondary School, in Kagiso, Krugersdorp, last Tuesday.

In another incident, a pupil was shot and wounded on Wednesday during a protest by pupils at Dumanikahle High School, in Melmoth in northern KwaZulu-Natal. The pupils were demanding free education and that their school fees be refunded.

The acting principal of Gcinimfundo Secondary School, in Ndwendwe, northern KwaZulu-Natal, was assaulted by pupils who accused him of impregnating one of them.

Teachers at Qantayi Secondary School, near Richards Bay, had to flee for their lives when pupils went on the rampage, damaging the school building and cars.

They were protesting against being refused permission to play soccer with another school.

Just what are these children trying to prove or achieve?

Discipline has become a serious problem at many schools . School governing bodies and education authorities will not succeed in restoring it unless they work with the parents.