Hon House Chairperson ... [Interjections.] ... violence, drug and sexual abuse in our schools has become the new normal, it's no longer an exception. In the past, there were isolated incidents and now it is the mainstream thing. It is happening at almost every school in some form or another.
The question we must ask ourselves is: Where did we collectively as a nation, government, and as mothers and fathers go wrong? Almost daily, we hear of violent attacks, sexual assault, psychological abuse, bullying, and gender aggression at our schools. These are only the incidents that are reported. I am sure that the actual statistics are far worse.
As a former teacher and principal, I continually ask myself a question; what went wrong, what are the reasons for today's horrific situations at many of our schools in South Africa, and how do we ... as legislators and as parents ... repair this situation? Firstly, I am firm believer in the stability of the family unit. If the home environment is peaceful and stable, children respond in a positive and harmonious manner. Where the home environment itself is a war zone, we will see such behaviour being emulated by the children at school.
Secondly, it is the issue of parents no longer ensuring that their children follow some form of religion and it doesn't matter which religion they follow. For all, teach the basic principles of normality, peace and goodwill to thy neighbour. These are the first two principles I believe are essential and foundational to the development of a well-balanced child.
Thirdly ... this is in response to drug abuse at schools ... we must ensure that learners engage in physical sporting activities after school when lessons are over for the day. It is failure on the part of this government not to ensure that all schools have the same sporting codes.
Lastly, we must look at the education system itself, which include teachers and ask ourselves in this regard as to whether our teachers or our learners are failing?
In conclusion, we must get the fundamental foundational prescripts correct. If we do this together, with the provisions of quality education, we will have done our children a great service that will ensure that they all have a bright future and grow up to be well- balanced and accomplished adults. I thank you. [Applause.]