| |
|
|
| |
Human rights
28/09/2007 09:20
Children and adults in SA are taught about their human rights, with the focus only on their rights, while the responsibilities accompanying rights and the human rights of other people are forgotten. This leads to the sense of entitlement so evident in SA society today - people "owe" me, I don't have to work for or earn anything. We are also becoming a very self-centred society where the focus is only on what is best for "me" and what "I" want. As long as "I" am okay, everyone else can go to hell. - Michelle |
|
 |
| |
Schools
28/09/2007 09:42
Colleen, your assessment are most unfortunately correct. This applies to most schools.
It is sad to see so much talent wasted. Parents are desperate to ensure a good future for their children. They, on the other hand seems totally uninterested in their
I give extra maths classes and the lack of mathematical skills is frightening! I sincerely hope that sanity returns to our schools.
- Danie |
|
|
| |
Schools
28/09/2007 09:46
With absent parents too concerned with making money the fabric at home is wearing thin, the nett result is described above. A high price to pay.
PB. - P Basson |
|
|
| |
no discipline
28/09/2007 09:50
I remember when I was in high school,you couldnt ditch school without some adult coming and asking why we were not at school- now I walk down the company Gardens to work in the mornings, usually after 8, I watch the schoolkids hanging out and doing their thing. Little girls and their drop out boyfriends, gangs of boys-the policemen who patrol around parliament,merely watch these kids.There is no discipline from schools-if these kids dont want to be there-kick them out.make room for real students. - fiona |
|
|
| |
What a shame!
28/09/2007 09:54
The parents of many of these children fought for freedom and a better education in a language of their choice. Now that they have the opportunity to get educated, they just throw it down the drain. "WE DEMAND" doesn't get you anywhere. Freedom is to get educated so that you can take control over your own life together with the responsiblities, respect for self and others that comes with that control = freedom. - Karen |
|
|
| |
Bill of Rights
28/09/2007 09:55
We need a paradigm shift, let rename the "Bill of Rights" the "Bill of responsibilities", and focus on reponsibilities, that way, each one will have their rights. - Joe |
|
|
| |
Who is responsible?
28/09/2007 10:01
I dread to hear about the conditions of our schools. These young people are our future! But I fail to understand why pupils' bad behaviour are always blamed on society. Sure, it does have an impact, but not as powerful as the one at home! This is where childrens' education in respect, responsibility, self-worth and even human rights begins! The responsibility of a child lies with the parents and the education system is purely their to assist in mental education. - Benita |
|
|
| |
You reap what you sow
28/09/2007 10:03
Ag people, this is the "legacy" of the "new" South Africa. Let's see how these little punks fair in the real world one day - they will not stay children forever. Wait until the Life Laws set in. Then they will be crying. - European-African |
|
|
| |
shooting themselves in the foot
28/09/2007 10:10
Let these kids insist on theire 'human rights' They are only doing themselves in. Reality will kick in soon enough when they find themselves sweeping floors! - Juan |
|
|
| |
Spare the rod - smack the parents
28/09/2007 10:11
Bring back corporal punnishment!!! A swift caning sorts out a lot of stuff. The blame tho is on the parents. Too lazy and immoral to take an interest in your childs work where a sense of moral self worth and duty is instilled. This is your fault. How are childeren supposed to grow up well ballanced and morally sound when their own parents are neglegent? 10-20 Yrs ago you messed up(should have condomised OR SAID NO!!!) and now we are paying for your negligence. I blame you - SPARE ME |
|
|
| |
Collapse of the educational system
28/09/2007 10:17
Well said, Colleen, grade 10 students who think they are doing the school a favour merely by their attendance, last day of school term equivalent to 1st day of holidays etc etc. PB, good observation but money has to be made to pay ever spiralling school fees etc, does not stem from an obsession with money. Both my parents worked full day when I was at school and not one of them had to ask if I had done my homework. - debbie |
|
|
| |
Collapsing education
28/09/2007 10:20
As an education consultant, I advice about 3000 families per year, who have opted to teach their children themselves. I can assure you, the experiences you relate are not unique - they are endemic to the system. Just this morning I had a call from another teacher who cannot stand it anymore and is abandoning the profession. - Leendert van Oostrum |
|
|
| |
schools
28/09/2007 10:22
I'm afraid this is what happens when a socislist government is voted in. Lack of dicipline, work ethic and responsibility fall away with the 'lowest common denominator' attitude taking their place.I saw it happening in England before I came to SA. I was fortunate enough to be able to put my kids through the private sysyem here which is good. State education in SA is by and large dreadful and gets worse by the month because of the incompetents running the show. Peter - paul |
|
|
| |
so true
28/09/2007 10:24
sad but true.. even those kids that manage to get through matric and admitted to universities are just as irresponsible. just go to Hatfield in PTA and see how the abuse alcohol. the universitities are aware of this, but dont care. anyhow, parents have a huge role to play in this whole mess, as they are concerned about money and status, they care less about their irresponsible punks. - boni |
|
|
| |
Education system
28/09/2007 10:25
Yip, and just try to convince any of the rocket scientists in the education department that we have a problem...eish...what problem??? - knersus |
|
|
| |
problem kids
28/09/2007 10:33
The problem with these little punks is that when they do "reap what they sow" in the "real world" they are going to be the $%^%$%^$%# who hijack, steal, rape, pillage and murder. This is because they havent been taught any better and left to their own "RIGHTS" which soon become their wrongs. - Spare ME |
|
|
| |
My 20 pence worth
28/09/2007 10:50
I'm afraid that SA is going the same way as the UK, where kids have even more "rights" and absolutely no respect for adults. My personal point of view is that it all starts at home. Without any parental guidance and discipline from home, kids think they can run and rule whomever and however they like. I also think that caning should be brought back, but alas, this is only a pipe-dream. Parents should take a more active involvement of their childrens education, behaviour to and respect of adults. - Charl |
|
|
| |
No sense of responsibility
28/09/2007 10:57
Teenagers don't have a sense of responsibility and to a certain extent parents are to blame. Whenever I go to the public library normally after work which is around 7 in the evening there are parents milling around looking for information for their child's project. I don't have a problem with the parents helping but I think they should draw the line between helping and actually doing the work for their children. Half of the children aren't even there with them. - Leana |
|
|
| |
Discipline
28/09/2007 11:03
Find a school where discipline is PRACTICED, not just preached about and get out of that one quick. You're strangely silent on the question of whether your daughter supports all the goings on... Most problems start at home so check that she knows whats right or wrong for a start! Clearly, firm and authoritve leadership is lacking at the school. It's time to find a place where proper code of conduct and enforcement of discipline IS practiced. The Educ. Dep't aint gonna fix it - be sure of that! - Magister |
|
|
| |
Parents and our kids
28/09/2007 11:05
I feel we as parents are failing, we are giving our kids to much. To much freedom, to much of what ever they want. Our kids are losing there sense of respect and common values. As parents we need to take a stand with our kids. We need to put them back on track. Look at kids that do not have a lot, they are top performers, as well as kids that have a really firm upbringing. I am a parent on the student body of the school of my kids, and it is frightening what goes on at school.no more space sorry - Vic Rampersad |
|
|
| |
Collapse of Parental Responsibility
28/09/2007 11:06
We live in an area that is considdered to be "the best in town". I work from home and therefore see when parents leave for and get back home from work. The pressure of an upmarket lifestyle takes its toll when it is time to spending a few hours with your child to do homework or to teach them lifeskills. The price for your fancy lifestyle cannot be measured in monetary value - it should be measured by your child's performance and attitude towards his/her responsibility, other people, his/her life. - P du Toit |
|
|
| |
Is this really true?
28/09/2007 11:14
I'm a grandpa. Is this really a true reflection of the school scene? True that 92% of Grade 8's can fail? It seems just too pessimistic.... - Gerhard |
|
|
| |
No consequences
28/09/2007 11:16
Spare the rod, and you teach the kids that there are no consequences. Give the kid a detention, and if he/she doesn't go? no consequence... until they get into the REAL world - by then it's too late. Bring back the cane, give it to the headmaster and watch the attitudes change when there are real consequences to their actions. - anton |
|
|
| |
no future in SA
28/09/2007 11:19
It seems like theres a problem in all sectors in this country. Is there a future in this country Ive been asking myself or is it time to pack my bags as alot of South Africans are doing..In due time it will become like any other African country out there thats for sure. - Steve |
|
|
| |
Who is really to blame?
28/09/2007 11:26
Thought must be given to the fact that kids are being lost educationally at primary school level -pushing kids through to the next year when they've failed is obviously going to have a major effect on kids when they get to high school! Today, teachers are not bothered in those that are struggling, and if they're not bothered then why should the students when they feel their educator doesn't? Alot has to do with the teachers who have given up on those that need extra help due to lack of resources! - Nikki |
|
|
| |
Respect
28/09/2007 11:36
Maybe it's time to teach these children what it does say in the Constitution. Nowhere does it say that children (or any one else) must be treated with respect. What it does say is "Everyone has inherent dignity and the right to have their dignity respected and protected." This includes their teachers whose classes they are disrupting and their parents who are working hard to pay for these ingrates' education. - Clare |
|
|
| |
Decay in our education department
28/09/2007 11:42
My mom is the HOD of the junior department @ her school.The HIV/AIDS department visited the school and informed her that she has to teach the children about safe sex,with all the graphic aids,where has innocence gone? At that age we hadn't even started to go through the motions of DISliking girls,nevermind having sex.
Not only that but she had to make sure every female teacher had @ least 3 condoms on her,in case she is raped.
Its a different world in our schools to what you and I remember - Disgusted |
|
|
| |
Poor teachers
28/09/2007 11:56
My heart goes out the men and women who try to teach these young rebels. Low pay, horrible conditions, thankless job... I wouldn't want to do it! - Dolf |
|
|
| |
Did the authors of some replies pass Spelling 101?
28/09/2007 12:03
What is extremely amusing, is how badly many of the replies to this topic fare in terms of spelling and grammar. Are the authors perhaps the products of a dysfunctional school system too? Examples: "considdered", "to much" etc. The funniest one is the so-called "educational consultant", one Leendert van Oostrum, who "advices" his clients. God help his poor victims (sorry, I meant clients.) - Anton |
|
|
| |
Eish, is too hard Part I
28/09/2007 12:17
Colleen, I think you might have accomplished 2 things by this column - hitting the nail on the head and opening a very nasty can of worms indeed.
Being a teacher I know what it is like inside the system and having to respect the rights of those you teach all the time, without having your rights considered. I agree with whoever commented that kids must realise that the price of a right is a responsibility. - Nico |
|
|
| |
Parents Responsability
28/09/2007 12:21
There is no such thing as bad children only bad parents. Everything from morals to discipline to taking responsibility begins and ends with the parent. However when you look at the main parent of our country namely the president, who will not take responsibility for crime, will not take action and in actual fact cover up for errant members of his cabinet like Selebi, Manto, or take action against failed departments like the department of education, Health etc. the big cover up of the arms deal. The greater population take their moral guidance from the president and if he does nothing about instilling discipline in his government why oh why should the common man in the street do so. It is up to the man in the street to, take responsibility for him / her self. Instil discipline in our children and demand that our government and president execute their duties with the responsibility of their office. Further we should demand of our president that he should publicly take swift punitive action where members of parliament are errant. If the president continuously reneges on his duties in public office like addressing crime etc then we should call for his dismissal. Until this happens it is up to the parents to ultimately take responsibility for there own actions and the instilling of responsibility, discipline and accountability of our children. - Gary |
|
|
| |
Eish, is too hard Part II
28/09/2007 12:23
It pains me to know how many problems can be fixed in a kid's life by two good lashes. Can corporal punishment be reintroduced? Yes, but in a controlled way; This system has been misused in the past.
Govt should realise that the role of primary education - manners, character, has moved from the home to the school and we do not have the people to do this, we are not paid enough and we do not have the tools.
I respect Minister Pandor, but wake up and smell the coffee. OBE isn't working! - Nico |
|
|
| |
voiceless parent
28/09/2007 12:27
Some of us parents did not reach grade10 in our school years,but believe me we try very hard to encourage our children to learn. The so called rights fail us as parents,the thing that makes me vomit, is to be arrested when i discipline my own child.All these punks knows is sex and drugs.It is our government that must be blamed for their disgusting rules,for the disrespect that they have bestowed on this children. - Georgina Tsalong |
|
|
| |
Keep it up
28/09/2007 12:29
As a professional SA expat now working in the 1st world, I can only laugh at the chaos in SA schools. The sad but real truth is that the more the chaos, the less the output of skilled qualified people and the more valuable the skills of people like mine will be when I return, if I return. - Laughing Expat |
|
|
| |
Our kids
28/09/2007 12:31
P Basson, I am one of those "absent parents" making money to keep my household together. However I have taught my 14yr old the responsibility and matureness to do her homework with out me! If she doesn't understand something she has phoned me at work so that she can ask me questions. Every evening I come home & go through both her & my 9yr old's homework with them, no matter how tired or busy I am. Our kids cannot do well without the basics - respect, responsibility for their actions, etc - Toni |
|
|
| |
poor parenting skills
28/09/2007 12:42
This is not a "government"issue.Government didn't bring any child to this world.If children don't respect their own parents how do we expect them to respect teachers? - deliwe |
|
|
| |
STEVE doomsayer
28/09/2007 12:47
STEVE the future of this country will be bright if there can be less negativism from people like you and more positive thinkers....People who come up with solutions - deliwe |
|
|
| |
|
|
| This comments facility is now closed. |
