The fight against bullying and drugs at schools continues
That child is not guided and taught; instead, they learn to navigate life on their own, and they make wrong and ill-informed choices in the process.
On May 23, Chantel Bloy and various stakeholders convened a meeting at Fred Norman Secondary School (FNSS), EXT 1, Ennerdale, to address increased incidents of bullying in schools.
The stakeholders involved included the principal of De Villiers as a host, SGB, the WASP team, CPF, Your Last Will, sports clubs, local businesses, and faith-based organisations.
All stakeholders were granted an opportunity to speak and raise matters pertinent to the community and the schools.
ALSO READ: Local learners take a pledge against bullying
Bloy said it was agreed that a multi-pronged approach was needed as schools are a microcosm of communities.
Challenges raised by stakeholders
High unemployment was among some of the concerns that were raised. This is mainly because some learners do not attend school to learn but rather use the school as a place of business to peddle drugs and gamble.
Involving parents to try rehabilitating and disciplining learners has proven to be futile because, in most instances, the learner is the breadwinner for the family.
The second issue is drug addiction among parents; situations like this push learners to become the head of the household.
That child is not guided and taught; instead, they learn to navigate life on their own, and they make wrong and ill-informed choices in the process.
Children are not taught basic values and morals at home, and this influences their behaviour outside of home.
Stakeholders also noted that parents feel disempowered by the rights and freedoms that are afforded children.
ALSO READ: Four types of bullying all parents need to know about
The lack of and damage to infrastructure like stadiums, sports fields, and public swimming pools affects the youth negatively.
They do not have recreational spaces to exercise positive hobbies and interests within the community, leaving room to experiment with sexual activity, gangs, drug and alcohol.
In Ennerdale, learners do not have a functional library, especially those without a conducive space to study at home.
Resolutions
ALSO READ: Cyberbullying: Tips For Protecting Your Your Children
Local sports clubs are willing to involve their organisations by establishing clubs within the schools as part of sanctioning learners who transgress.
“It would become compulsory for them to participate in these programmes as a means of intervening and changing their behaviour,” said Bloy.
The schools will also introduced suggestion boxes.
