Child-centred organisations have their say on school violence

Providence Moyo

In the wake of concerning gang violence and bullying in high schools that has caused a furore in Bulawayo, child-centred organisations are advocating for the capacitation of teachers to deal with the scourge.

Matebeleland Coalition for the Welfare of the Child (MCWC) MCWC director Phumulani Mpofu said empowering teachers, would go a long way in moulding well disciplined children. 

“Children spend most of their time at school with teachers hence teachers are an important stakeholder that needs to be capacitated to deal with unruly characters among learners,” Mpofu said.

He came just came short of saying corporal punishment, which was outlawed must be reinstated.

“All stakeholders that are involved in raising children need to review strategies employed in raising children. We need to be able to differentiate between  corporal punishment which is a way of instilling discipline, and violation of children’s rights,” said Mpofu.

Hope for a Child in Christ (HOCIC) Director Sunga Mcheze concurred with Mpofu while adding that high school alumni could be invited to give advice to current learners to discouraging them from engaging in orgies of violence.

Mpofu suggested that the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) must  conduct random searches in schools and look out for any dangerous weapons that may have been brought to school by learners.

Last week, a 16 year old male,  Wayne Ndlovu from Founders High was stabbed by a 17 year old male from Hammilton High on their way from school and he later succumbed to the injuries. 

In October 2021,  Msiteli High Schoool in Mpopoma and Sizane  High School learners attacked each other with catapults, knives, knobkerries and stones. Msiteli High’s precast wall was destroyed during the skirmishes.