Michael Sakuneka

Michael Sakuneka

A total of 585 schools have been declared dangerous and unsafe in the country.

This was said by Deputy Minister of Education Andre Gaum.

He was speaking during the handing over of a torch of peace to Limpopo education MEC Aaron Motsoaledi at Khesethwane High School in Bolobedu, north of Tzaneen, on Friday.

Khesethwane was identified as one of the 65 unsafe schools in the province and has performed badly in matric exams for the past three years.

Sowetan has learnt that teachers and some pupils were living in fear since most of the troublemakers came to school armed and under the influence of liquor or drugs.

Teachers at the school were allegedly frequently assaulted and girls raped.

The torch of peace was first introduced in 2005 and has since been passed on to various ministries.

"It helps bring the community and the government together to build safer schools and improve the quality of education," said Gaum.