Aggression 'common in schools'

2008-08-21 13:05

Pretoria - There was a lot of aggression in South African schools, a University of Johannesburg professor said on Thursday.

And such aggression was a "reflection of what is happening in our society.

"Remember we're the most aggressive nation in the world," said Professor Marie Poggenpoel of the UJ nursing department.

Poggenpoel was commenting following the sword attack on pupils and staff at the Nic Diederichs Technical High School in Krugersdorp earlier this week.

The incident happened on Monday and a 16-year-old boy lost his life after being slashed in the neck.

The 18-year-old purported attacker "showed behavioural disturbances... getting involved in Satanism", the professor observed.

But, according to Poggenpoel: "I don't think Satanism is the only thing to blame."

Morne Harmse appeared in the Krugersdorp Magistrate's Court on Wednesday and will make another appearance next week after being told by the magistrate to get legal counsel.

Anger management

To combat aggression, Pogenpoel urged the anger management.

"Aggression management workshops should be held where the valuing of people would be encouraged.

"Often adults - including teachers - feel that they are being disrespected by learners while pupils can also be disrespected by adults who may use sarcasm or belittle them," she said.

Professor Chris Myburgh, of the education psychology department at UJ, said he did not think that the media was fuelling violence by reporting on school clashes.

"I don't think so, they are merely reporting on what is going on. We ourselves are contributing to the matter all the way from parliament to the family structure," he argued.

Harmse, should he ever be found guilty, needed to face the consequences of his actions.

"He needs to be punished, but then what happens afterwards? Is he going to be branded for the rest of his life? There are no constructive (rehabilitation) programmes in place," said Myburgh.

- SAPA