As a parent with kids at school, I was shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the fatal stabbing of a learner in Thuto Tiro Secondary School in Sebokeng, in the Vaal, yesterday.

Nowadays, our children's safety is being compromised and, as parents, we always hold our breath when our children go to school.

I can imagine the trauma and psychological effects the tragic stabbing incidence will have on other learners who witnessed the event.

Recently, I heard that the education department and the police would work together to beef up safety at schools. But to my dismay, we still hear of learners who are attacked or killed with knives and guns.

I wonder how such dangerous weapons infiltrate the school grounds if the security guards thoroughly search the pupils' bags.

Apparently, there are bullies who come to school under the influence of alcohol or drugs, carrying weapons to threaten other children and even the teachers.

In my own opinion, metal detectors should be added to schools' security profile. Some learners hide weapons in the school toilets and police or security guards should conduct thorough searches at the schools.

All schools should have boards at the gates, with messages slamming drugs, alcohol and dangerous weapons, and a warning that transgressors would be handed over to the police. This gesture will conscientise the learners that if they trespass the message on the board, they will be dealt with by the law.

Dear learners, crime doesn't pay; it can only destroy your bright future. If you commit serious crime at a young age, you'll have criminal record which will serve as a stumbling block for job opportunities. No employer will want to employ a criminal.

You have a choice to be either a law-abiding citizen or a law-breaker. As a parent, I advise you to abide by the laws of the country to safeguard your own future.

Lastly, I would like to urge parents, police and the department of education and other stakeholders to seek long-term solutions to problems of lawlessness in the schools before it is too late.

These days, some learners go to school not to learn but misbehave and cause problems for teachers, while they bide time to go boozing in taverns.

The government should sternly warn tavern owners of the harsh consequences for selling booze to school children. After school hours, some learners throw parties in the parks where they engage in booze drinking and risk their lives by indulging in unsafe sexual activities.

If we're serious about the safety of our children at schools, let's take action now to correct the situation than collect corpses from schools!

Phahunye Amos Tebeile, Kwaggafontein, Mpumalanga