1 June 2007
"Parents, you are the professors, the first school begins at home." These
were the strong words of Ingonyama King Goodwill Zwelithini at his Royal Palace
at Ingwavuma today, 31 May 2007 where he addressed close to 5 000 people at an
Indaba where the impact of Customs, Religion and HIV and AIDS on schools were
discussed.
The summit was called by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education following
concerns about the high absenteeism and low matric pass rate in the Obonjeni
district. The KwaZulu-Natal Education MEC said that it is her department's job
to ensure that all the children of the province learn and get quality
education. "This area has been neglected for a very long time and it is of
great concern to us." She said that there is no reason why children in that
area should not be among the best in the province and country. "We need to
analyse and remove the barriers."
Many schools, especially in the deep rural areas, had been built by
communities. "When government did not care, you cared. Government must now put
right where schools have been neglected. But communities, parents and local
leadership also have a role to play: the education of our children must come
first."
Emphasising the importance of teaching our children the right values and
giving them guidance she said, "Respect for others starts with respect for your
own body, mind and future. Let us teach our children to respect themselves and
each other. Respect for their friends, teachers, and all human beings. We as
adults also treat children with respect. I am very disturbed about innocent
children being raped." Let us not lose ubuntu � the fact that I only a human
being through other human beings.
While the Department of Education have to provide books and facilities it
cannot provide the guidance at home and in the community. "This is where
community and parents become extremely important. Please come and hold our
hands to make sure that this area is not our worst performing area but that it
becomes the best. We must just give them opportunities. What do you say to your
children about school? About school attendance? A child cannot learn when the
child is not at school�There are only about 200 school days and I get very
upset when our children lose school days. Every day that they lost is a day
that they have not studied."
It troubles her that the time that children spend at school is undermined.
"That is robbing our children of their education. The same applies to our
teachers. The vast majority are doing a wonderful job but if there are some
teachers doing the wrong thing by not being at school or arriving at school
drunk or by sexually molesting the children, you as parents and community must
stand up and say 'No!,' this is not acceptable, this is not how we behave
towards our children."
"Teachers must earn respect by leading by example. Between the parent and
the teacher we are shaping the child. It is joint parenting � we should work in
harmony with each other and the values and messages we give should not be
conflicting messages. There is also a need to instil in our children a sense of
responsibility. Sometimes I think our parents abdicate their responsibility.
They send children off to school and don't continue that involvement with their
children. Unless we all work together in harmony, we cannot produce healthy
prepared citizens."
In his address His Majesty expressed deep concern about issues raised by the
department. "I love my people and I am glad to be here. But I am shocked and
disturbed by what was brought to my attention by the education department." He
said that if "respect" is taught at home, teachers should not have a problem.
"Is the future of our children becoming brighter or darker? Why do our children
become women and wives before their time?"
He said the area is in the limelight for all the wrong reasons and it needs
to be dealt with. "We will destroy the nation by saying we are clinging to our
culture. In the past a child was given time to grow up."
"When a girl was born in the past, people would say that she would marry
into a certain family. But that child was not molested or had to marry at an
early age. She could develop and mature. It was nothing like the current
practice - nine-year olds are married to old men."
He said there are good cultural practices but they are sometimes abused. "A
good cultural practice should not disturb education. The practice of "ukumisa
iduku" (a ceremony where a man declares his love for a woman and a group of
girls has to be part of the agreement) should not happen during the week � and
is definitely not for young school children. Finish your education first; it
will not be on your Curriculum Vitae (CV) one day."
Teachers, the King said, must be exemplary of the nation of tomorrow. "And
when you walk out of the school premises, don't forget that you are still a
school teacher, so that children can say we wish to be the same as teacher so
and so."
Speaking about the impact of HIV and AIDS, His Majesty said that teachers are
buried daily in that area. "This devilish disease is corrupting my people."
Other points that he made:
Education management happens at different levels. At a meeting with the
Amakhosi he requested their involvement in education. It must complement
education in the classrooms, especially when it comes to life skills � teaching
character and good behaviour by for example opposing the selling of liquor near
schools. Alcohol is dangerous, as is the use of drugs. Some girls don't even
know who fathered their children when they are under the influence.
Vandalism of school buildings by community members
Communities should not be afraid to tackle these problems. If we don't deal
with these matters a lot of people will perish. Why do we leave orphans to
suffer? Though we say we are religious people? What type of religion do we
practice?
Schools should not be politicised and children should not be involved in
politics. On 10 and 11 June commissions, consisting of izinduna, councillors,
principals and school governing bodies will meet again with the King and the
department with solutions for the problems.
Issued by: Department of Education, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial
Government
1 June 2007
