Child abuse at schools has always been a problem from time immemorial. Cases of abuse of girls at various schools by male teachers have gone by without being dealt with by the powers that be and the perpetrators have gotten off scot-free while poor girls’ futures have been compromised.
These girls, from primary to high school, lose their virginity to unscrupulous individuals who are bent on satisfying their sexual cravings at the expense of these innocent, vulnerable and defenceless children. Some of them are repaid with high and impressive marks, thus destroying a young mind that could have ventured into lucrative career paths and produced wonders.
It is on that very note that I fully support the South African Council for Educators’ imposition that as from 2019, aspiring teachers on application should submit police clearance certificates to prove that they are not one of those culprits who would prey on young, unsuspecting girls at school. In fact, it is long overdue and should have been implemented long ago.
I understand this will be applicable to newcomers, but what about those who have been in the system for a long time and have been perpetrating these acts?
Should there not be a system or campaigns to flush out all perpetrators first? Because the problem is within and not waiting to occur. It is alive and well within schools. Flushing them out will cleanse the noble teaching profession because it has lately been tainted by this negative imagery, yet they are developers of society in all respects.
This calls for a concerted effort by all stakeholders to change the mindset of perpetrators before they can think of committing acts of sexual abuse. We all have to be conscious of the fact that the future of this country is in the hands of young minds, so let’s nurture them for a brighter future.
• Let me take this opportunity to condemn the destruction of property and injury to innocent security guards, especially the woman who was repeatedly kicked by a group of men on television when Kaizer Chiefs’ fans invaded the pitch at Moses Mabhida Stadium when they lost 2-0 to Free State Stars. Such acts are not acceptable, especially not from a team whose slogan is “Love and peace”. If you do not like what’s going on in the pitch, leave peacefully and go back to your family. As it is, several were injured and some have been arrested for their acts of what happened on Saturday.
Yes, Chiefs’ coach, Steve Komphela has been blamed for the team losing games, but are the players not also to blame? You witnessed Saturday’s game, they should have scored at least seven goals, but missed in front of the goalposts. Who is fooling whom? The club needs to go back to the drawing board and sign up quality players. I mean quality players like they did in their formative years.
Kaizer Chiefs’ management needs to shape in or shape out before it is too late.
