Teach social justice to curb racism
CONSIDERING recent news articles about racial statements being made at South African schools, it is obvious that racial issues constantly hound and test our communities.
Racism will not just disappear, therefore, the teaching of social justice themes or topics at schools and in communities is very important.
We need to urgently engage effectively with the issues related to racism, sexism, classism and gender-based violence with openness, honesty and sincerely.
We cannot undo the effects of apartheid and our racist past overnight, but we need to constantly speak to these socially destructive and self-destructive ills.
Although life orientation lessons speak to the issues of racism, gender-based violence and classism, a more in-depth study needs to be done.
A comprehensive approach is needed to promote respect for cultural, religious and racial differences.
Most sensible and informed people agree that gender-based violence, classism and racism are some of the most pressing social ills keeping us away from achieving a dignified life for all those who live in South Africa.
The department of education needs to create and develop workshops for teachers to address and prevent racism at schools.
I know teachers are overwhelmed and overloaded with administrative duties, but teaching about social cohesion, co-existence, diversity, understanding democracy and social responsibility is also important.
In a country with such huge inequalities, imbalances and as we still heal from the effects of apartheid, to teach about human rights is just as important as the other subjects.
Additionally, wide-ranging intervention, counselling and support services in the school environment that are designed at preventing the sort of unfortunate incident that occurred at a school in KwaZulu-Natal should be implemented.
Schools must undertake a large responsibility and proactively contribute to social cohesion and promote human dignity and development at our schools and in communities. Pietermaritzburg