Learner, educator and community views on school safety at Strelitzia Secondary School

• Main Authors: Steyn, J, Naicker, MK
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: Acta Criminologica 2007
• Subjects: South African Police; Safety
• Online Access: http://encore.tut.ac.za/iii/cpro/DigitalItemViewPage.external?sp=1001424

Abstract The study explores the perceptions of learners and educators at the Strelitzia Secondary School in Isipingo, Durban, regarding safety at the school. Members of the Isipingo Community Policing Forum, as well as South African Police Service were involved in the study as external participants. Through known types of research approaches (quantitative and qualitative), more than 400 questionnaires were completed by Strelitzia Secondary School learners while 20 interview schedules were conducted with Strelitzia Secondary School educators, as well as members of the Isipingo Community PolicingForum and the South African Police Service (Durban South Area). The questionnaires were analysed through nonparametric statistical tests such as Chi-square, while the interview schedules made use of content analyses and theme identification. The study revealed that most Strelitzia Secondary School learners and educators as well as Isipingo CPF members and SAPS members who participated in the study, were of the opinion that Strelitzia Secondary School is a safe environment even though a culture of violence exists in which learners bring drugs, alcohol and firearms to school, and corporal punishment is still practised.