It is unrealistic to expect vulnerable people to ensure that nearby schools aren’t vandalised or robbed
The call by officials to the community members each time there is a school opening ceremony or handover of high-tech equipment is: “Take care of this school.” The onus is suddenly on vulnerable people — who live in rural areas or townships where violence, criminality and unemployment are rife — to protect the institution and its possessions.and the burning of poor, under-resourced schools are not new in South Africa.
Covid-19 is accelerating the high unemployment rate and bellies are rumbling from hunger. In Zulu there is a saying, Indlala ibanga ulaka which, loosely translated, means hunger causes anger and violence. Our communities also have a drug and alcohol problem. Schools are particularly vulnerable because now, more than ever, anything of value is a target. Criminals see a weakness and an opportunity and they take it.
In addition to equipping our schools we need to ensure there is adequate security by professional companies.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Community members to blame for 53 schools failing to open in Mpumalanga last week, says Motshekga’s officeSome Mpumalanga community members are to blame for dozens of schools failing to open last week, the basic education ministry said on Monday.
Read more »
Oxford’s position on Rhodes Must Fall is bad politics — and even worse history - The Mail & GuardianIt is misleading to use Nelson Mandela’s name to defend the Cecil John Rhodes statue
Read more »
SAA 2.0 hopes to start lean and grow from next year - The Mail & GuardianSouth Africa’s new airline, which is set to rise from the ashes of SAA, could start with as few as 764 employees and grow to 2 222 by January, Subz_84 reports.
Read more »
‘Fake news’ fears as Covid-19 highlights the dangers of misinformation - The Mail & GuardianReliable news coverage is needed more than ever, but trust in the media is at an all-time low
Read more »
SA needs more young people in politics - The Mail & GuardianYoung people are a critical demographic in South Africa, but their influence on national politics in the past two decades has been limited
Read more »
Online allyship: a broken game of do like I do - The Mail & GuardianThe idea of displaying solidarity by posting a black square on Instagram hijacked the BlackLivesMatter hashtag with a performative display of allyship
Read more »