As the first day of school begins wrapping up, the focus for 2010 from government officials was on prompt teaching, safety in schools and a better matric pass rate.
Just under a million grade ones began their academic careers on Wednesday.
Gauteng Safety MEC Khabisi Mosunkutu said security at schools was his priority.
There were a number of reported cases of pupil-on-pupil violence last year.
Mosunkutu said school governing bodies must do everything in their power to upgrade security wherever they could to prevent pupils carrying weapons into classrooms
“That must also be dealt with, it cannot be allowed. It is a phenomenon that is totally unacceptable,” said Mosunkutu.