New curriculum may cause pupil aggression – psychologist

The relatively new curriculum assessment policy statements (Caps) curriculum could be placing undue pressure on schoolchildren, which could be leading to increased behavioural problems.

This is the view of educational psychologist Vanessa Barnes after the announcement that the girl who was caught on camera throwing a book at her teacher during class may face expulsion.

“The Caps curriculum – whether in primary or high schools – is extremely content- and assessment-heavy. It also does not always allow for time for consolidation of content learned,” said Barnes.

Barnes said that since the implementation of the curriculum in 2014, she had seen an increase in school-related anxiety among pupils. This anxiety could cause them to be “tense, more aggressive than normal and can cause difficulties such as insomnia, avoidance of tasks and physical complaints such as stomach aches or headaches”.

“Anxiety affects the working memory which, in turn, impacts on the pupil’s ability to retain information. In saying that, any psychological difficulty will impact on a pupil’s ability to focus, retain focus and perform academically,” said Barnes.

Barnes advised that pupils ask for help as soon as they felt they were not coping or falling behind with their work. They needed to be able to feel free to talk to their parents, teachers, a psychologist, counsellor or social worker.

“Self-awareness and being able to identify when you are not coping should prevent curriculum-based pressure from manifesting as aggression or physical reactions towards others,” she said.

“Pupils need to know that they are not alone in their anxiety and frustration and that they need to ask for help when needed. Teachers and parents also need to monitor if a pupil is avoiding work due to behavioural difficulties, or because they are not coping.

“It is not only the pupils who feel the pressure of the curriculum, but the teachers as well, and they also require support.”

The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) has expressed great concern and condemned any forms of violence in the classroom.

In a statement released yesterday, it said: “Sadtu strongly condemns any form of violence committed against teachers by [pupils] or any other member of society while performing their duties.

“It is our strong view that irrespective of whatever the circumstances that might have led the pupil to react in that manner, she had no right to threaten the teacher and expose her to that kind of violence.”

However, the union says no research has been done to prove that the altercation or general increase in violence and aggression amongst pupils in schools is as a result of the Caps curriculum.

“It would not be fair to say that it is because of Caps. However, the violence and aggressive traits in pupils could be because of the changes in society, the increase in gangsterism and drug use in certain communities and the change in the traditional family structure,” said Sadtu media officer Numusa Cembi.

“This shows that schools are a reflection of the society we live in today and that the issue could be solved if the community and parents played a bigger role in pupils’ lives.”

– jenniffero@citizen.co.za

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