Department of Basic Education hosts Discipline in Education Summit
The Department of Basic Education will host a two-day summit on school discipline. Experts and researchers in various fields such as ethics, safety, security, psychologists, unions, teacher associations, and learner organisations will attend and take part in the deliberations.
The department acknowledges that fear and violence is detrimental to the holistic development of the learner and has created a dedicated Directorate to address school safety.
Lack of discipline and respect is often the precursor to anti-social and violent behaviour in schools. Over the years several attempts were made by the Department of Basic Education to introduce alternative ways of maintaining positive discipline in schools, in particular after the abolition of corporal punishment.
The summit will tackle all matters related to discipline in schools and various people will make presentations before breaking into commissions to further explore solutions.
The theme for the Discipline Conference is: Discipline in Schools re-visited, striking a Balance between Ethics and Legislation and hopes to address the transformation of all schools into safe, disciplined and child friendly institutions. The department aims to mobilise support from key stakeholders and to showcase the current programmes aimed at promoting safe and caring school environments.
Disciplinary problems in schools constitute a major threat to quality education in South Africa. This view has been substantiated by studies conducted by various organisations. The National School Violence Study Report revealed high levels of violence prevalent in the classroom, on the playgrounds and en route to and from school.
The types of violence identified include:
- physical fighting (including corporal punishment)
- bullying,
- vandalism,
- verbal abuse
- sexual abuse,
- gangsterism,
- carrying of dangerous weapons,
- use of and abuse of drugs on school premises,
- stabbings, and in some instances premeditated murder, etc.
The conference, which will be held over two days will be hosted by the Minister of Basic Education, Mrs Angie Motshekga; and will be attended by officials from Provincial Education Departments, research institutions in the field of ethics and discipline, SGB (School Governing Body) Associations, Teacher Unions as well Religious Organisations.
Members of the media are invited to attend the conference over the two days as follows:
Day 1: Friday, 7 March 2014
Time: 08h00 to 17h00
Venue: Birchwood Hotel and Conference Venue, Boksburg
Day 2: Saturday, 8 March 2014
Time: 08h00 to 13h00
Venue: Birchwood Hotel and Conference Venue, Boksburg
Enquiries:
Elijah Mhlanga
Cell: 083 580 8275
Terence Khala
Cell: 071 701 6837
