Increasing violence at schools must be addressed

The IFP has condemned the recent attack on a teacher by a grade 8 pupil at Glenvista High School, KwaZulu Natal.

IFP spokesperson on Education, Mr Alfred Mpontshane said, “The IFP is extremely concerned about the increasing trend of school related violence more so as it reflects the existent social ills within our greater communities. We call upon other departments of Social Development and Women, Children and People with Disabilities to come together with the Department of Basic Education and look into these societal issues which lead to violence by pupils in schools.”

“Pupils who attack teachers in schools must be punished. Criminal acts remain criminal acts and we cannot emphasize children’s rights over criminal acts,” said Mpontshane.

“We urge more involvement of parents in instilling good values into their children. In instances where parents are more involved in the education and welfare of their children we see less violence in schools. These children come to school with the attitudes that they largely inherit from their homes and society,” concluded Mpontshane.