Violence in schools: Taking collective responsibility

RECENT violence by children towards other children in our schools has significantly impacted all of us in the country. It has been of great concern to parents and especially to children attending our schools. Another alleged sexual assault of a female student by four students reported today adds to the fears. No one expects that the school environment is where rape and violent physical harm can occur.

We have a tendency as a nation to be reactive and not proactive. We tend to point fingers at others rather than take responsibility and work to resolve issues. The problems that have occurred in recent weeks are not isolated events but a culmination of many years of unhealthy trends in the country. We must not have a ‘knee-jerk’ response expecting a quick fix – there is no such thing. Instead, we must be prepared to take a good, hard look at our nation and understand the factors that unpinned these events.