Glenvista learner parents mum on incident
Attempts to get comment from the family of the Grade 8 learner from Glenvista High School who was caught on video viciously attacking a teacher in class, proved futile.
Having previously agreed to meet with a Comaro CHRONICLE reporter to get their explanation of what happened in the classroom prior to the video recording which they said could have been what drove their boy to resort to drastic behaviour, they later declined an interview sighting that it may jeopardise their son’s chances at the disciplinary hearing held on the week of October 7.
“It is the responsibility of society and parents in particular to deal with unsocial behaviour but above all, to instil social cohesive values in their children,” said MEC Barbara Creecy in response to a question by the DA’s Mike Moriarty. The question tabled to the Education MEC: ‘In what percentage of schools does the school’s code of conduct adequately address bullying?’
The recent occurrences of violent assaults in Gauteng schools set the scene for MEC Creecy’s focus, with the latest incidents being the primary school learner who punched a female teacher in the face after the learner was confronted for not wearing the correct school uniform.
“Discipline starts at home. We should remember that these children are coming out of homes, so it is imperative that parents check their children if they are wearing the correct paraphernalia when they go to school,” added Creecy.
Another incident that caused an uproar in communities was the Glenvista attack of an educator by a 14-year-old teenager where a reported eleven other learners urged him on as he hit the educator with a broom and a chair.
Creecy declined to comment on the Glenvista case as there is an on-going disciplinary process currently underway.
Clinical Psychologist Warren Thompson advises that “we do have violence in South Africa. We must though not forget that while we may see one child be brought on charges of violence, there are ten next to him who are awarded honour scrolls for sport and academic achievement. Each school needs to determine if they have isolated incidents of violence, this would guide their response and intervention strength.”
Mr Thompson explains that anger is a normal emotion that arises when a person feels threatened by something or someone. Although, how that person reacts to the threat depends on: upbringing, environment, psychological factors, frustration levels, background and substance abuse.
