Drugs fuel school violence

Education and social experts say the cumulative impact of widespread social troubles, including the explosive rate of violence and substance abuse in Namibia, are the primary causes for the worrying upsurge of violence in schools.

Veronica Theron, a leading social worker and special advisor to First Lady Monica Geingos, told Namibian Sun this week: “Substance abuse in schools has reached endemic proportions, even during school hours, the use and dealing of drugs on the premises is a common trend.”

She said both boys and girls are falling prey.

Sanet Steenkamp, permanent secretary at the education ministry said: “The ministry has noticed with concern a growing number of reports around organised violence cases recorded at schools, particularly the Khomas Region.”

She argued the problem is not isolated to the central region.

“I must stress that although the Khomas cases are publicised, organised violence and weapon use at schools are certainly not restricted to the said region.”

In March 2017, a police raid at the JA Nel Secondary School led two drug possession related charges against a grade 9 and grade 10 learner, as well as the confiscation of knives, sharpened mirror pieces, and broken bottlenecks.

In March this year, a grade 11 learner at Windhoek High School attacked and stabbed the school's principal.

Also in March this year, a police raid at the Ella du Plessis Secondary School in Windhoek resulted in more than 40 learners being ordered to leave the premises, after police discovered knives, screwdrivers and broken mirror pieces, plus alcohol, in their possession.



Problems everywhere

Steenkamp said relentless reports on the topic across Namibia show the country is in the grip of a plague of violence, in “our homes, public spaces, and communities”.

She said what happens outside of school is reflected on school grounds.

“There are many reasons for violence in schools, which include violence at home, society or communities, which is being perpetuated at a school level.”

Steenkamp noted that “violence doesn't occur in a vacuum. It's often the result of a systematic wearing down of communities, families, and individuals in adverse circumstances”.

She said it is critical to understand, and address, the underlying causes that lead to the high rates of violence and behavioural issues in society.

On a broad societal level, violence is linked to economic insecurity, trauma, racism, misogyny, social disconnection, access to deadly weapons and substance abuse, she said.

Steenkamp explained that learners involved in violent incidents may simply be seeking “attention or are involved with issues beyond their coping abilities”.

Windhoek Gymnasium principal Collette Rieckert said Namibia should be concerned, adding the abuse of substances is an undeniable problem “amongst our youth”.

She said another factor that leads to behavioural problems is instability at home, and often the absence of a parent, specifically fathers.

Rieckert underlined that substance abuse can be linked to “lack of hope, lack of self-worth, and a lack of parental love, in most cases”.

The bully factor

Khomas education director Gerard Vries agreed that violent acts by learners often start at home, or are based on societal problems, and often involve bullying.

Recent eruptions of violence at Khomas schools were “isolated incidents and not gangsterism”, Vries added.

He further explained that investigations found violence is often related to “older boys defending younger boys from bullying”.

Steenkamp described bullying as a form of violence against an individual or a group, which can lead to “gang fights”.

“In most cases, violence at schools does have an element of bullying to them.”

Bullying is dehumanising, intimidating, hostile, humiliating and evokes fear of physical harm or emotional distress, she said and “affects a learner's ability to participate in or benefit from the school's education programmes or activities”.

What do we do?

Self-esteem and knowing their own worth are key attributes that help students refrain from destructive behaviours, Gymnasium's Rieckert said.

“If one has a sense of self-worth and value, you will not just break down and damage everything and every person around you. Then you will appreciate your gift of life, and rather help others to see and experience the same.”

She said the school has not struggled with a high rate of violent or substance abuse, in part because “we try to handle the problem before it starts”.

Religious programmes and counselling at school, plus on-campus nurses, are engaged as soon as “we see red lights”.

Theron pointed out that a big challenge is the lack of rehabilitation centres, specifically for youth in Namibia.

The existing centres have a limited capacity and can only treat so many patients per year.

Another issue is the close proximity of schools and hostels to shebeens, which allow easy access to alcohol and drugs.

Substance abuse leads to chaotic behaviour at schools, Theron said, including ill-discipline, aggressiveness, hostility, disrespect, vandalism.

“These learners might pose a threat to others and more physical violence is reported. Learners living outside provide drugs to learners in hostels.”

Steenkamp noted that behavioural issues have been present at schools for many years, and in line with this, policies and procedures exist to address these issues.

Moreover, curricula taught at schools include elements of finding alternatives to violence, including peaceful conflict resolution and positive interpersonal relationship skills.

She called on all stakeholders, including management, teachers, parents and the community, to ensure that school safety is enforced at schools.

“The ministry reiterates that schools should be places of safety where parents and guardians entrust their children's education to the care of teachers.”

Several schools and institutions recently pledged to join authorities in addressing school violence and joined a campaign spearheaded by the Office of the First Lady, the #BreakFree anti-violence campaign.

The yearlong campaign is based on a nationwide call for action to address issues such as non-violent conflict resolution, sexual consent, problem solving and providing solutions to the high levels of violence in our society.

JANA-MARI SMITH & JEMIMA BEUKES