Rustenburg - The Torch of Peace has been handed over to the North West Education Department to mark the beginning of the Safer Schools campaign.
On Monday, the Free State Education Department handed the torch to its North West counterpart. Receiving the torch, Deputy Director-General Abe Seakamela said his department was committed to promoting the principles of the torch.
He said schools were a reflection of what goes on in society. "It goes without saying that all interventions aimed at curbing the scourge of violence and harassment must start in schools if they are to have a lasting impact," Seakamela said.
He said the Torch of Peace initiative recognises the need to work together in confronting challenges faced by the youth of today.
Seakamela said it gives momentum to continuously remind everyone of the scourge of violence that women and children continue to face and endure.
"Our department has embraced this campaign in order to advocate a safe learning environment and to curb violence in schools," he said.
The torch will rotate among several schools in North West before being handed over to KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday.
The torch is intended to instil a strong sense of humanity, preserve lives and avoid violence, crime and accidents wherever possible.
