Recognising social issues in society
Immanuel Shididi High School, in association with Samuel Shimuningeni, held an awareness event to address pressing social issues that have been identified at the school on 31 October.
Samuel Shimuningeni is an intern social worker from the University of Namibia (Unam) and he is currently doing his internship placement at the Gender-Based Violence Protection Unit (GBVPU).
Under the theme, 'It is not okay: Stand up and Stand tall', the event was aimed at persuading the learners to not view current social issues such as teenage pregnancies, substance abuse and domestic/gender-based violence as being normal.
Public speakers attended the event to talk to learners about social issues that have come to be socially acceptable even though they are poisoning the minds of the younger generation. The lecture included topics such as early sexual engagement, low self-esteem, drug abuse and the inappropriate use of social media, including and cyberbullying.
Shimuningeni explained that he chose to collaborate with Immanuel Shididi High School as it was referred to him by one of his fellow senior social workers at the GBVPU who said the school is known for having a number of social issues.
“I then came to the life skills teachers and we looked at what the pressing social issues are that the school is facing,” he said.
Shimuningeni added it is a challenge for the youth to interpret information in the right way because in the formal education system, children are taught in a method where the teacher provides all the information.
“I thought of why we don't make the information more attractive, putting it into dance and drama. That way the information is entertaining and educational at the same time,” he said.
Shimuningeni urged the life skills teachers to make lessons more practical for various topics to be expressed such as art, field trips or to have a guest come to the school.
Shimuningeni added that he believes in depicting the consequences of something and most people don't understand that events that happened back in their childhood can shape the way they are.
“If the long-term consequences of things like gender-based violence can be shown on the abuser, victims and children living in that household, people can understand the effects,” he said.
Shimuningeni also urged the private and public sectors to stand together to advocate for the strengthening of laws against domestic violence and gender-based violence.
Speaking to The Zone, Cordoba Doëses, a learner at the school, said it is a great project and she would encourage her peers to never hide their feelings as there are people out there who are willing to listen and help.
“It is not okay to put on a mask and come to school thinking everything is fine but behind you there is a shadow following you with all those scars,” she said.
Alvaro Suze, also a learner at the school, said it was great giving out a message to their peers. He is excited to have life skills lessons that involve practical work rather than writing notes.
Under the theme, 'It is not okay: Stand up and Stand tall', the event was aimed at persuading the learners to not view current social issues such as teenage pregnancies, substance abuse and domestic/gender-based violence as being normal.
Public speakers attended the event to talk to learners about social issues that have come to be socially acceptable even though they are poisoning the minds of the younger generation. The lecture included topics such as early sexual engagement, low self-esteem, drug abuse and the inappropriate use of social media, including and cyberbullying.
Shimuningeni explained that he chose to collaborate with Immanuel Shididi High School as it was referred to him by one of his fellow senior social workers at the GBVPU who said the school is known for having a number of social issues.
“I then came to the life skills teachers and we looked at what the pressing social issues are that the school is facing,” he said.
Shimuningeni added it is a challenge for the youth to interpret information in the right way because in the formal education system, children are taught in a method where the teacher provides all the information.
“I thought of why we don't make the information more attractive, putting it into dance and drama. That way the information is entertaining and educational at the same time,” he said.
Shimuningeni urged the life skills teachers to make lessons more practical for various topics to be expressed such as art, field trips or to have a guest come to the school.
Shimuningeni added that he believes in depicting the consequences of something and most people don't understand that events that happened back in their childhood can shape the way they are.
“If the long-term consequences of things like gender-based violence can be shown on the abuser, victims and children living in that household, people can understand the effects,” he said.
Shimuningeni also urged the private and public sectors to stand together to advocate for the strengthening of laws against domestic violence and gender-based violence.
Speaking to The Zone, Cordoba Doëses, a learner at the school, said it is a great project and she would encourage her peers to never hide their feelings as there are people out there who are willing to listen and help.
“It is not okay to put on a mask and come to school thinking everything is fine but behind you there is a shadow following you with all those scars,” she said.
Alvaro Suze, also a learner at the school, said it was great giving out a message to their peers. He is excited to have life skills lessons that involve practical work rather than writing notes.
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