Pretoria - The Department of Basic Education will be taking steps to ensure that all teachers are explicitly trained in values, human rights and citizenship.
These are among the new commitments announced by Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga, as part of efforts to end violence in South African schools.
Minister Motshekga said the training of teachers will take place through universities, with a specific focus on teachers of Life Orientation.
This follows recent comments by the Minister regarding the importance of Life Orientation in helping learners to engage with the issues and attitudes that often lead to violence.
An inter-branch committee within the department has recently been established to oversee the improvement of Life Orientation over the next five years. Work has also begun on creating higher quality open source Life Orientation textbooks.
Another commitment is the Care and Support for Teaching and Learning Programme, which will now reach all schools.
Since April this year, the department has overseen the implementation of the National School Safety Framework for Safer Schools, as an expansion of the Care and Support for Teaching and Learning Programme.
This is done through a partnership with the Centre of Justice and Crime Prevention and supported by the United Nations International Children’s Fund.
The programme seeks to enhance school culture by improving school management and classroom practice. It also includes the promotion of essential rights and values.
The Minister noted that the programme has been piloted with great success in several provinces and will now reach all schools.
Minister Motshekga acknowledged that there have been recent disturbing examples of school violence, as well as widespread public support for action, as evidenced by the online campaign signed by over 25 000 citizens.
She, however, emphasised that addressing school violence is the responsibility for all.
“Together, we can make a difference in the lives of young people within our educational institutions and the department is committed to playing a leadership role," said Minister Motshekga.
She said a major priority for the department is providing school environments that protect learners at all times, and these new commitments build on the work already being done in this area.
The Minister further called on all parents to embrace their responsibility as their children’s primary caretakers and role models.
“The home is where values such as compassion, tolerance and respect – and associated behaviour – are learnt and reinforced.
“Teachers and other stakeholders in the education system often do admirable work in guiding and developing learners in schools, but, parents and other caregivers must also take active charge of their roles in raising their children to become responsible and caring citizens.” – SAnews.gov.za
