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Chapter one Background to the study 1.1 Introduction Gangsteriem is one of the sources of school violence in secondary schools. Learners as young as 13 years of age are being recruited to belong/join the ranks of gangs. Because there is strength in numbers when fights break out, gangster groups compete to recruit as many learners as possible. Carrying of weapons such as gun or knife is a symbol of power. Fear is a great determining factor in joining a gang. As the school is regarded as a microcosm of the society as it reflects what happens in the society Diesel (2012) in smit (2010) argues that gangs in schools should be seen as a community problem of Africa and, since schools are a part of the community, they reflect the problems of that community. “There are also other types of violence in the areas which also exposes the school to a particular type of violence and what happens here is that whatever happens in the community which impose negative impacts on the school and the community at large. The portfolio committee on education (18 June 2009) found that gangs emerge from within communities themselves and this phenomenon has many root causes. Academic performance of students is the centre around which the whole education system revolves. The success and failure of any educational institution is measured in terms of academic performance of students. Not only the schools, but parents also have very high expectations from students with respect to their academic performance, as they believe that better academic results may lead to better career options and future security.