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SA schools under the spotlight
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March 12, 2008, 18:00
Games emulating physical and sexual violence are being played on South African school grounds. The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) says this is indicative of the level of brutalisation experienced by the youth.
The SAHRC today released a report on school violence. During public hearings, on which the report is based, the commission heard from Community Action toward a Safe Environment that these games give insight into how violence has become part of children's identities.
The report said the school was the "single most common" site of crimes such as assault and robbery against pupils. According to a study conducted by the Centre for Justice and Crime Prevention (CJCP), young people were twice as likely to become victims of crime than adults.
"Just over two fifths (41.1%) of the young people interviewed had been victims of some form of crime," it said.
The CJCP also found that toilets were an area of the school feared most by pupils. "Research indicates that learners perceive school toilets as the least safe areas, as are grounds and playing fields," the report said. These areas were a haven for bullies, which is the most common and well known form of school violence.
The commission found that pupils were now more "willing and able" to use physically aggressive ways to solve conflicts.
Insult to injury
The Red Cross Children's Hospital in Cape Town told the commission the most common forms of violence it treated scholars for were assault with a fist, knife or panga, rape and sexual assault, bite wounds and firearm related injuries.
The Catholic Institute of Education also gave different examples where pupils brought guns to school which accidentally went off, injuring another pupil.
"The probability that a child growing up in South Africa will be admitted to hospital with an injury is approximately 25 times higher than that of a child growing up elsewhere in the world," the report said.
It said many instances of school violence were unintentional with children underestimating the potential "lethal consequences" of possessing a gun.
Safer schools
The SAHRC in its recommendations said the Education Department should assist schools in identifying areas, such as toilets, where victimisation occurred and consider "reconfiguring" them.
Careful screening and security measures were other methods mooted to prevent pupils from bringing weapons into schools. "The DoE [Education Department] should carefully consider the implementation of security devices, including metal detectors and fences," it said.
Other recommendations included reducing overcrowding, transforming unattractive learning environments and ensuring safe transport for pupils.
Another intervention was creating "child-friendly reporting systems.
"If learners have suffered violence within the school environment, they may have difficulties seeking assistance due to feelings of shame, fear or intimidation." - Sapa
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