The Gauteng education department, in collaboration with NGO Pillar to Post, has launched a pilot project to curb the growing problem of violent crime at certain schools in the province.
In the past few months several learners have died after learner-on-learner violence on the playground.
Pillar to Post uses theatre plays to address social issues and facilitates visits to prisons to give children first-hand experience of the harsh realities of life on the inside. It aims to challenge the misconception among learners who glamourise prison life.
Gillian Delport, Pillar to Posts project coordinator, said the education department roped in the NGO because of its extensive experience in changing peoples attitude through theatre.
The department looked at the statistics of increasing violent crimes at schools in the province and asked if we could design a campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of violence, said Delport.
She said the campaign is ideal for all schools, but given the recent spike in violent crimes involving learners in the province, the department had identified certain schools that are problematic.
Delport said the visits to prison shock the learners by showing them what happens within prison walls. But it goes beyond just shocking them we believe it will also serve as a deterrent [to do crime] in the future.
During the visit learners interact with juvenile inmates, who share their experiences about prison life. The project works both ways in that prison inmates also benefit by giving motivational talks to learners, encouraging them not to do crime. In this way the prisoners feel they have contributed something to the community, Delport said.
The interaction also complements the department of correctional servicess initiative to rehabilitate prisoners and integrate offenders into society at the end of their prison terms.
Delport said the reaction from participating schools and learners is encouraging. The feedback we are getting from teachers is positive. Most report a drastic drop in criminal activities, such as drug abuse, gangsterism, theft, bullying and wanton use of weapons, said Delport.
The pilot project involved 2 130 learners and 90 educators from all 15 districts in Gauteng. Pillar to Post intends to expand the project to other provinces, with the Free State next on the list. But, to involve more schools it needs to secure corporate sponsorships, Delport said.