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Ministers target new shots
11/03/2003 10:16 - (SA)
Pietermaritzburg - Target shooting as a school sport will be extended to pupils at disadvantaged schools.
The activity, at which South Africa has won many international medals, has been discussed at a meeting by Education Minister Kader Asmal and Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota.
Also discussed at the meeting was the use of .22 rifles, owned by about 266 public schools.
The ministers resolved that the Suid-Afrikaanse Skoliere Skutters Unie (Sanssu), the SA Target Rifle Association and the United SA School Sport Association (Usassa) should develop a code of conduct and a business plan to ensure the sport was accessible to all, especially those who were previously excluded.
"No quota must be used, as this will limit opportunities to those learners who have not been exposed to the sport."
Usassa will be asked to oversee the transformation of the two school shooting associations into truly nonracial bodies.
Lekota will consider Asmal's request that redundant defence force rifles and ammunition be made available to schools.
Must beware of stray bullets
Gun-free South Africa has warned against the dangers of implementing the sport at schools that "have not even developed policies to manage a crisis".
"Many disadvantaged schools don't have strongrooms and, unlike former model C schools that have large grounds, the township schools are surrounded by houses.
"Stray bullets that hit people during practice can result in many people suing the minister," said national co-ordinator Joseph Dube.
He said teachers were not trained to maintain firearms, "especially military ones".
"The main responsibility of schools is to teach".
- The Witness
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