Parents and teachers at Elim Senior Secondary School met on Sunday, 11 September, to address the issue where one of the learners set the school's staff room on fire last month. The meeting also focussed on other concerning issues, such as gangsterism, bullying and substance abuse by learners at the school.
The teachers shared their problems with the parents and vice versa. The school circuit manager, Mr Ntshavheni Rantsu, the school governing body (SGB), community leaders, the civic association, the community forum and the pastors' forum also attended the problem-solving meeting.
Rantsu said that, although the school was otherwise doing well, the fire in the staff room was a significant setback. "I was upset when the principal informed me about the arson incident. This situation has put a dent in the school's plans," he said.
The meeting felt that the other mentioned issues also had a negative impact on learning and teaching. The parents' views and behaviour were mentioned as major contributing factors to good or poor influence on their children's own behaviour, including offending behaviour towards fellow learners.
One of the parents, Ms Suzen Makwarela, pleaded with the school leadership to start with support groups for learners. "The teachers should try to invite social workers and the police to start conscientising them about crime," she suggested.
Parents blamed the lack of physical security at the school and easy access to drugs, such as dagga, which is being sold by unknown drug dealers during breaks. They also slammed the local police for not visiting the school to combat crime.
One of the SGB members, Mr Oupa Ndhima, condemned the rising issue of gangsterism and bullying at schools. "The student who was accused of setting the school's staff room on fire was suspended. We won't tolerate this kind of behaviour at the school," he said.
Sgt Tshifhiwa Radzilani of the Makhado police denied the accusations that the police were to blame for criminal activity at schools. "The issue of school visits remains [the school's] responsibility, working with the Department of Education to address social matters that may lead to crime," she said.