Govt needs to find alternative ways to address school violence
An education expert has called on the government to find alternative ways of addressing the increasing levels of violence in schools across the country.
This follows a video that went viral on social media showing a teacher and a grade 9 pupil using school furniture to attack each other in a classroom at Glenvista high school.
The Department of Education in Gauteng has since launched an investigation to probe the details surrounding the incident.
Hendrick Makaneta said one way of addressing violence in schools is to expand the existing support structures of mental health.
"Both teachers and learners go through a lot in life, and it is important to create an environment where counseling and therapy are readily available for everyone within the schooling environment.
"Teachers alone will not be able to fully maintain discipline in the classroom. Some of the factors that lead to ill discipline amongst learners can be traced back to issues that have to do with mental health.
"If one takes into account the violent action that we all saw at Glenvista High School, we can safely conclude that there are deep-seated challenges of mental health that must be addressed speedily.
"Whilst it is the duty of the state to offer professional development of teachers, society also has a duty to encourage empathy and respect among teachers, learners, and parents," he said.
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