WCED :Safe Schools

WCED SAFETY AT SCHOOLS IN THE

WESTERN CAPE

IMPACT OF GANGSTERISM ON SCHOOLING

WCED :Safe Schools

CONTEXTUALISING THE CHALLENGE

Gangs emerge from the local community . SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS Poverty Unemployment /low income employment Poor living conditions LEARNER BEHAVIOUR Early anti-social behaviour Poor academic performance/Learning difficulties Truancy / Drop outs

WCED :Safe Schools

FAMILY SITUATIONS Single parent families No adult supervision Physical abuse Alcohol and drug abuse Poor role models GANGS PROVIDE FOR THEIR NEEDS Vulnerable learners are targeted. Provide power and protection Gangs provide glamorous lifestyles .

WCED :Safe Schools

Types of gangs . Street Defence

Family Mafia

Syndicate

Prison Gangs

WCED :Safe Schools

Why is the school such a lucrative environment ?

Gangs provide money and draw needy families . Cell phones ,cars ,gold chains , food , rent

Sense of belonging .

Protection Turf for drug dealing Prostitution

WCED :Safe Schools

The impact of gang violence on schools

External activities . Gangs choose the arrival and departure times of teachers and learners to begin the shoot-outs . Safety drills (stop,drop and roll )impact on emotions.Traumatized educators and learners are fearful and terrorisedEducators need time out for severe stress and trauma debriefing. Perceived allegiance -determined by where you live. Parent ,Governing Body meetings and extra-mural activities cannot take place .

WCED :Safe Schools

INTERNAL ACTIVITIES• Gang involvement of learners impact on restriction of movements when rival gangs frequent turf like tuck shops or toilets .

• Threats to educators by learners involved in gang activity . •Graffiti on school premises.

WCED :Safe Schools

What does Safe Schools have in place ?

OBJECTIVES

ENVIRONMENTAL

ATTITUDAL / BEHAVIOURAL

SYSTEMIC

WCED :Safe Schools

Drugs•WCED is currently busy with a protocol in line with the National Drug Policy.

•Drug trafficking is a criminal offence - inform SAPS , Municipalities and other key role players . •Safe Schools in partnership with Bridges supported schools with Information , intervention and educational programmes for parents , school policies and referrals .

WCED :Safe Schools

MANAGING SAFETY AND CRISES

• Reactive procedures are in place .

• Support to school communities in their efforts to regain control

• Trauma Debriefing / Counseling / Therapy

• Intervention and prevention programs

• Infrastructure support if needed

• Law enforcement support

• Safe Schools Call Centre

WCED :Safe Schools

NEED FOR A HIGH LEVEL

INTERSECTORAL TASK TEAM • High level multi -sectoral Task Team to deal with crime and violence

• All three tiers of government should be included .

• The task team should look at short , medium and long term strategies . • It should co-ordinate activities of all agencies .

WCED :Safe Schools

• Job creation / Reduction of unemployment

•Long term solutions would include moral regeneration of our country . Education will have to play a special role in conjunction with religious and sport bodies , NGO and CBO .

• This process will involve learners , teachers their parents and school community .

WCED :Safe Schools

OPTIONS• Relevantly trained Municipal police officers deployed to high risk areas for a year

• Army vehicles visibility .(currently withdrawn from Operation Slasher.)

• Searches and Seizures and raids of shebeens.

• Gang Mediation/ Social Crime Prevention Activities

WCED :Safe Schools

•Media coverage - Strong messages to communities . • Stronger legislation - Firearm Free Zones within a 100m of school premises and the implementation there of .

• Review the release of gangsters (20 000 prisoners release p.a) Correctional services and behaviour modification -pre requisite

• Police Officers as Resource Officers in each school .

•All of the above need to be balanced with social crime prevention strategies .