PHUTI MOSOMANE
THE South African Democratic Teachers’ Union says it is extremely concerned by increasing number of violent incidents at South African schools.
This comes after a series of incidents of violence were reported at various schools in the form of bullying, suicide, stabbing and shooting since the beginning of the 2023 academic year.
The teachers’ union called on President Cyril Ramaphosa and relevant ministries to establish a police unit dedicated to school violence in South Africa, including offering psycho-social services at schools.
“Violence in schools is increasing unabated and our schools, instead of being safe havens they are meant to be, are endangering the lives of teachers and learners,” said SADTU General-Secretary, Mugwena Maluleke.
Maluleke said the tragedy of South African schools is that they do not have enough infrastructure to ensure learners, teachers and communities do not bring weapons to schools.
“We call for properly trained security personnel to oversee security in schools. We therefore reiterate our call to all stakeholders in education, more especially, communities and parents to be involved in schools in their neighbourhoods,” he added.
“SADTU is calling for the creation of safe spaces for learners to confide in them about the issues they face. We again reiterate our call for dedicated psychosocial services in schools.
SADTU said during 2023 academic year alone, there were more incidents of violence at the following provinces since the reopening of schools in January:
· At Geluksdal Secondary School in Brakpan, Gauteng: A Grade 10 learner was stabbed to death allegedly by fellow learners.
· At Kagiso Secondary School, Gauteng: A man allegedly entered the school and took hostage some staff members. He allegedly stabbed and wounded one of the teachers and was subsequently shot dead by another teacher.
· At Tlotlisong Secondary School in Ficksburg, Free State: A Grade 9 pupil allegedly poisoned himself and died following alleged humiliation by teachers in front of other learners. Following the suicide, angry learners attacked teachers, damaged the school, police and teachers’ vehicles accusing them for being the cause of the learner’s death.
· At Sonyongwane High School, Southern KwaZulu Natal: A 17-year old Grade 11 learner committed suicide allegedly because of bullying by her schoolmates who constantly told her she was ugly and teased her about the shape of her head.
· At Ntsu Secondary School in Bethlehem, Free State: The school principal allegedly used corporal punishment on a learner who had allegedly skipped detention.
Said Maluleke: “These incidents clearly indicate that schools are no longer safe havens they are supposed to be, but they endanger the lives of learners as well as teachers.”
Maluleke said the union will now engage the Presidency and other government ministries and agencies to join hands with SADTU as it rolls out “I am A School Fan” campaign.
“Through this campaign, we acknowledge that schools are a microcosm of the society and therefore the violence cannot be divorced from what is happening in the community. We aim to mobilise for more parental and societal involvement including the private sector to play an active role in ensuring that our schools are safer,” he said.
Maluleke also said SADTU condemns the use of corporal punishment by teachers as it was a violation of children’s rights and dignity, and “perpetuates violence and may lead to the learner being aggressive and anti-social.”
“In a number of schools across the country we still observe the sexual assault and harassment of learners by those who are supposed to protect being teachers. This group of unprofessional sex pests continue to damage the profession. It is only counterrevolutionaries who can engage in this kind of violence against our children in our schools,” said Maluleke.
INSIDE EDUCATION
