Cape Town - The SA Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) in the Western Cape says it is deeply concerned over numerous reports of abuse of teachers and non-teaching staff by learners from various schools in the province.
Several teachers have reported that they were grappling with a spike in rude pupils who threaten and intimidate them, and even attack them and other pupils.
A teacher who spoke on the basis of anonymity said bullying, fighting, swearing, lying, theft and ill-discipline were the order of the day in their classrooms.
“On a daily basis we as teachers experience this kind of behaviour at our school, no respect for teachers and fellow learners that want to learn.
“Parents don’t know what to do with the situation, and ask us as teachers to do what we prefer as solutions.
“Half of the school day we’re experiencing disruption of classes in one form or another.
“On the other hand we have to cope with a curriculum that needs to be delivered.
“So this job isn’t smooth sailing; we are fighting to keep our heads above the water,” said the teacher.
Another teacher said there were a number of teachers who were on the verge of walking away from the profession.
“Learner discipline is at an all-time low making teachers’ lives a living hell. There are a lot of teachers who feel like they just want to quit. I think socio- economic factors like the worst poverty rate ever which is destroying families; a broken education system which passes learners to make it seem like it functions, violence and overcrowded classes as well as burnt out teachers, a corrupt and lawless government set no examples for our children. They become what they see,” she said.
Sadtu provincial secretary Jonavon Rustin said if the situation goes unsolved, the behaviour will perpetuate in communities.
“We have received reports of learners being delinquent in schools and towards their peers as well as the educators and non-teaching staff. Therefore there is a need for an urgent intervention because we can’t leave this situation unattended. We have noted with appreciation the values programme driven by the department of education but it needs to be strengthened within our school system. If we don’t have a culture of tolerance, acceptance, respect and non-violence within our school communities we are going to have this type of behaviour perpetuating in our communities,” said Rustin.
Western Cape Education Department spokesperson Millicent Merton said the department’s safe schools sub-directorate continuously engages with law enforcement regarding school safety and visible policing.
Merton added that the department had put in place several strategies to address school violence which include building relationships between the parents, learners and the broader community within which schools are located as well as training teachers, parents and learners to identify aggressive learners.
The department has urged any form of abuse, violence, vandalism, burglaries and any other incidents that block efforts to ensure safe schools to be reported on 0800 45 46 47.
Cape Times