SA Human Rights Commission public hearings on School-based Violence
29 September 2006
Building a Safe Learning Home for All
"It is not only external threats, which result in school-based violence, but
the attitude and behaviour of our learners and educators as well," so said
Western Cape Education MEC Cameron Dugmore in a statement this morning during
the SA Human Rights Commission's (SAHRC) public hearings on school-based
violence.
The hearing, which kicked off yesterday and ends today, is taking place in
Cape Town. MEC Dugmore thanked the SAHRC firstly for deciding to convene the
public hearings and secondly, for doing so in Cape Town.
He said this was a critical matter for the province as the Western Cape
Education Department (WCED) seeks to implement its core mandate, which was to
deliver the National Curriculum Statement and build human capital.
He said since the initiation of the WCED'S Safe Schools Programme in 1997,
schools generally offer safer environments against outside threats.
"Of great concern however is the fact that some learners at school are
either members of, or are influenced by gangs who see schools as a base for
recruitment and distribution of drugs. This has resulted in violent attacks on
fellow learners and the intimidation of teachers."
MEC Dugmore said crime, family violence, gangsterism, poverty, substance
abuse, racism and sexism influence the psyche of young people, which in turn
impact on behaviour in the school and classroom, "School-based violence has the
potential to infringe on the rights of learners, but it also negatively impacts
on our ability to deliver on our education mandate."
"It is for this reason that the Social Cluster of the Provincial Cabinet has
decided that School Safety is our number one priority. Only an integrated,
co-ordinated and holistic response will yield results."
"This decision resulted in an additional allocation to Community Safety in
this financial year, which saw the deployment of Bambanani School Safety
Volunteers to 100 schools in the metropolitan area of Cape Town."
"An impression is often created in the manner in which school-based violence
is reported on that government only responds to crises. This is far from the
truth. In fact, we have an integrated Prevention, Crime Control, Intervention
and Response Strategy."
Enquiries:
Gert Witbooi
Tel: (021) 467 2523
Fax: (021) 425 5689
Cell: 082 550 3938
Email: gwitbooi@pgwc.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Education, Western Cape Provincial Government
29 September 2006
