A tripartite approach towards improving the safety of learners, educators and the community within the learning precincts was launched in the John Taolo Gaetsewe by the two learner-allied departments, Education and Transport and Liaison, with the department of SAPS taking the auxiliary role where it will play an integral role as a tool to reinforce the intervention processes.
Speaking at the official launch on October 26, 2018 the Northern Cape MEC for education honourable Martha Bartlett at Gaukake Primary School at Maruping said that a national policy framework is in the offing to curtail indiscipline within the learning environment in schools.
Accompanied by her counterpart MEC for Transport and Liaison, Mr Lebogang Motlhaping and Lieutenant General Risimati Shivuri, the provincial commissioner of the Northern Cape and other dignitaries Bartlett said, “The department takes school safety very seriously and has put various policies and measures to ensure the safety of all learners, educators and relevant stakeholders is achieved.
We must reiterate that there is no place for violence, drug abuse, sexual harassment and other criminal activities in schools. We want to inculcate values and ethics that keep the learning environment a desirable haven for learners. The interventions that we are introducing focus on improving the physical infrastructure relating to fencing school premises, burglar proofing, support programmes for learners in conjunction with stakeholders. Solid partnership between the department and SAPS has been introduced and will take an invigorated stance in the fight against crime. Schools will be linked to local police stations in an endeavour to instil discipline within the learning environment”.
The provincial commissioner said, “Weapons and drugs have become part of learner stationery thus disrupting the classes and disturbing peace. We have allowed those children to bully others, disrespect the teachers, come late to school and leave the premises before time. Schools have also become a breeding ground for criminals and this happens right under our watch and prisons are overflowing with people and children because we have allowed crime to manifest itself into an insurmountable mountain. I have no doubt in my mind that there is not a single parent here who wants to raise a criminal”.
Learner discipline starts from home and schools are there to nurture it through educators. Teachers, like gardeners, are there to water the planted vegetables. Parents must instil discipline to their children and that makes it easier for the educator to polish the diamond.
