We asked Albertonians if they thought violence and drug use in schools was a result from the educational system or were parenting and community social ills to blame?
NONHLANHLA MOSIKIDI: “I cannot blame the educational system neither can I blame this on parental failure. These learners are to blame because they take things lightly. Social media also plays a part in influencing these bad habits that learners engage in at schools.”
WITH reference to violence and drug use in schools, we asked Albertonians if they thought the blame should be shifted to the educational system or whether parenting and communities’ social ills are to blame?
SAREL KOTZE: “The problem starts at home, with families not being able to afford a luxurious life. This then forces these children to join gangs as an escape. Safety measures are necessary at schools to avoid instances like the recent murder of a Forest High School learner.”ARIHEN COLLINS: “Violence and drug use in schools is mainly caused by gangsterism in schools. Learners join these gangs because they want to belong, not knowing that they are putting their lives at risk. There should be means of curbing violence at schools.”POLITE MTWALO: “The blame should be shifted to parents, they’re the ones that are responsible for their children’s behaviour. As they always say, charity begins at home, so should morals.”LULU MINNE: “The problem starts at home because the child may be unhappy at home due to a number of reasons. Another reason could be pressure in the community leading that child to use drug and substance abuse. But those who are found to be against the law should be given harsh sentences.”