Studying to the sound of gunshots

Trauma endured by Lavender Hill matrics, absenteeism a concern

‘IMAGINE studying for exams and hearing gunshots go off. When you hear shooting at school everyone falls flat on the ground.” Sibelius High School principal Armien Samodien spoke about the reality matric pupils in Lavender Hill endure each day while preparing for their matric examinations.

Samodien said the school experienced four separate shootings in the Lavender Hill community in the past week and the attendance of pupils has dropped due to the fear created among pupils who get targeted.

“They shot someone in front of the road today and it wasn’t safe to come out.

“Yesterday there were four shootings in the area and we had to cancel all afternoon classes. There is lots of absenteeism in classes because of the shootings.

“Shootings happen at any time. I just got information that someone is walking up and down near the school with a gun.

“It impacts classes and learners. It also creates panic in school and the community – with parents phoning in – and it creates panic which affects teachers and learners,” said Samodien.

Scottsdene High School principal Peter Links reported a similar situation at the school and said they’ve lost two matrics and four pupils this year – mainly due to gang related incidents.

Links said matrics’ spirits were negatively impacted due to the trauma they endure when they hear news of those whose passed away.

He said the school has done it’s best to help those pupils to heal.

“It’s a big obstacle, we lost six learners since April – two were shot dead and one was stabbed. Despite everything, we must come back and make things work.

“We’re the only school in Western Cape with a huge number of deaths.

“We try to fix them inside here. It’s affected the matric’s performance, but learners ask me if they can work after school in the classroom, because of the violence outside.

“Our doors are always open. Learners feel safe within the school premises,” said Links.

Professor Cathy Ward, who works within UCT’s Safety and Violence Initiative (SaVI), that studies the impact of violence in society, said children exposed to community violence are prone to experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Ward said symptoms of depression and anxiety include difficulty sleeping, concentrating and memorising information which all affect the ability of pupils to perform well in their exams.

“It affects not only students but also teachers, but there is a much bigger picture in the context of a poor education system in South Africa. It doesn’t give the whole picture . It’s tough stuff they face.

“Fighting to keep their education is the best way to do to respond to violence or else those bad guys have won. Doing the very best you can do in these circumstances is what pupils can do when chaos is built into their lives,” said Ward.