Learners open up about social ills

Police addressed more than 300 learners of Mosupatsela Secondary School in Kagiso last week encouraging them to play a role in crime prevention, especially in the school environment.

According to West Rand District Police spokesperson Captain Solomon Sibiya, several faith-based organisations were present, including the NGO Basadi BaMogale as well as victim empowerment personnel, and Crime Prevention Wardens.

“Many of the learners were allowed to engage with police and stakeholders on how they can assist in fighting crime. During the discussion, both learners and educators revealed many social challenges prevalent in society such as bullying, gangsterism, social media, and peer pressure.”

Such discussions have been referred to as School Safety Programmes which is a collaboration between the Department of Education and law enforcement.

According to the department, a national school safety framework has been developed to serve as a tool for the provincial and district officials responsible for school safety that includes principals, senior management team members, school governing body members, teachers, and learners to identify and manage risk and threats of violence in and around schools.

“The framework is critical in empowering all responsible officials in understanding their responsibilities regarding school safety,” said Sibiya.