Share

Cherish our community schools

South African schools have evolved over a period.

At some point they were institutions that fostered racial segregation. After the advent of democracy, they became centres of learning and the epitome of unity in diversity. This was achieved through the enrolment of Africans into former Model C schools.

At the height of this wonderful exercise, the township schools were undergoing a different evolution.

Some of them, not all, had been built by community members, churches and the like. It is for this reason that they were a sense of pride for these communities. However, the advent of democracy saw the neglect of these centres of learning – hence vandalism crippling learning at township schools.

The neglect of these centres of teaching and learning is evident with the decline of discipline in schools. Part of this decline in discipline and a sense of ownership can be attributed to the fact that the communities that these schools found themselves in enrolled learners in former Model C schools.

One might also have the view that not all the township communities did this.

The piercing question is: How did we end up where community schools are vandalised to this point?

Now 23 years into democracy, South African schools resemble prisons, with high fences, alarm systems, CCTV cameras and the like. These security mechanisms are in place due to the scourge of vandalism.

Vandalism is defined as damage to property. It has led to huge costs being incurred, leading to repeated repairs being made with money that is unavailable.

The provincial Education Department’s financial guidelines only allows 1% of the school budget spent on maintenance and related costs. However, such provisions are inadequate given a rise in burglary and vandalism at schools, disappointingly committed by elements within the community.

Researchers have discovered that some cases of vandalism to property could be attributed to:

  • vindictive children who harbour revenge against an educator or other member of staff of the school;
  • malevolent children who enjoy causing problems, attention seeking learners driven by ideologies to a specific problem or issue and bored children who commit vandalism in search of excitement; and
  • frustrated children filled with anger who are former learners of another school and who for some reason feel that they were ill-treated as learners in that school, which led to them dropping out.

Also, the mushrooming of scrap-metal outlets could encourage frustrated unemployed members of the community to engage in criminal activity, turning to vandalism purely for survival.

Having highlighted these, as the community we must return to the basics.

We must be whistle blowers whenever schools are vandalised. We must have a sense of pride in these schools, since most of us are its alumni.

When we own these schools, they will return to their glorious times, and be centres of learning and landmarks that will make us proud.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
What is a non-negotiable when considering the election manifestos from various parties?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
A solid plan for load shedding
15% - 435 votes
Bold climate change objectives
1% - 30 votes
Roadmap for economic recovery
51% - 1490 votes
Solutions to SA's crime crisis
33% - 964 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.96
-0.3%
Rand - Pound
23.91
-0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.48
-0.1%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.34
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.2%
Platinum
898.45
-0.8%
Palladium
1,000.75
-0.1%
Gold
2,194.06
-0.0%
Silver
24.50
-0.6%
Brent Crude
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
67,881
+0.3%
All Share
74,113
+0.3%
Resource 10
56,213
+1.0%
Industrial 25
103,534
+0.3%
Financial 15
16,502
-0.1%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE