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IT IS believed over three quarters of South African learners feel unsafe at school, with children even going so far as taking knifes and guns to school just to protect themselves.

These results are according to an international poll, conducted by the organisation Progress and International Reading Literacy, which apparently surveyed 400 schools across South Africa. The outcome is shocking!

Now, I don't know how entirely accurate these findings are or how exactly these results were polled, but I do know even the possibility sends shivers down my spine.

I know we live in an incredibly violent society, but what ever happened to the days when school was considered fun? A place where children go to not only expand themselves but, more importantly, a place where children go to interact and learn from others.

The way I remember school is an institution that helps mould us into the people that we will one day be; the most fundamental building block in our lives ? not a place where we fear for our safety and have to look over our shoulder every turn of a corridor.

With more and more stabbings taking place in the classroom or school grounds each year, I fear for the next generation. Instead of trying to pass their coming tests or exams, it appears our youth are merely trying to make it through another day. What an incredibly horrific thought!

So what can we do about it? Well firstly, if you ask me, I would say ban television for youngsters.

Call me old-fashioned, call me what you like, but I think the root of all this evil stems from television; most of what appears on TV these days is what is better referred to as skop, skiet en baklei footage.

And while they do contain parental guidance, it happens that parents are not always able to be "watch dogs" 24/7, thus allowing kids to watch whatever they choose ? a choice that could easily contaminate our youngsters' minds.

An example from one of my own experiences would be when I was young ? too young ? and I sneakily watched the film Nightmare on Elm Street when no-one was around. While I certainly did not have an urge to kill once the movie ended, subconsciously this film had a major effect on me, resulting in months of sleepless nights and endless nightmares. So don't fool yourself, television does plague the mind ? especially when you are a child and don?t know any better.

Another contributing factor in which kids learn what they do, is from how they see others interact, with parents featuring at the top of this list.

Now, I know we don't have control over how others act in front of us, but we do control how we act in front of others. And when there are children in our presence, we should be on our best behaviour, for kids may not always listen to what we say, but they are constantly watching what we do.

Until next week, take care of yourselves. And our children.

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