Violence at schools is wrong but initiation of new boys will stay, Parktown Boys' High School heard last night.
"Initiation without violence is where we have to go. There can be no hint of intimidation and fear," principal Tom Clarke told a school hall packed with parents.
The school called the meeting to address the problems of violence, particularly assaults by older boys on younger boys associated with initiation practices, which The Star reported on last week.
Clarke emphasised that the school was against the abuse of power and the use of violence.
He said the perpetrators were "investigated and sanctioned", which included sending boys for counselling and giving them final warnings.
"There is absolutely no question that corporal punishment is not allowed."
He emphasised that the problem related to the school's hostel, rather than the school itself, but admitted it could be more widespread.
At the meeting, a lot of anger was directed at The Star because it reported how boys at the school were assaulted during initiation rites. The anger appeared to be because the newspaper exposed the problems and embarrassed the school community; nobody denied the problems existed.
Clarke said current legislation left him without power to act against violence, instead handing matters over to a parents' disciplinary committee.
Boys were told how to behave but ignored this.
The hostel's boarders had been given counselling on such issues just four hours before the initiation which sparked off the reports - but clearly had paid lip service to this.
The school would start a "Boys to Men" programme to teach the pupils how to deal with such issues.
The parents were also reminded of their own role in instilling values in their children.
A school governing body member complained that The Star had failed to run the school's comment in its stories.
The Star repeatedly called the school for comment last week.
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