Xenophobic attacks disrupting education - Naptosa

I believe we have all heard about the xenophobic attacks in South Africa which has been marred by ousting of foreigners in the country. This has led to confrontations and even death of some foreign citizens. Different countries have pulled out their citizens and Kenya is planning to follow suit so that its citizens are not killed or harmed in any way. 

The Xenophobic attacks have come as a shocker considering that the country was and is still see  as a representation of Africa and the fact that Nelson Mandela,an icon of Africa was from South Africa. Only time will tell if the attacks will increase or decrease depending if the government will do something fast to sensitize their citizens.

During the attacks the children are most affected since they cannot comprehend why and how the attacks are carried out. This has led to some of the foreign pupils and students stop going to school and stay home for fear of victimisation or fear of being killed and attacked.

In Johannesburg - Foreign children attending school in South Africa have been affected by the recent xenophobic attacks, the National Professional Teachers Organisation of SA (Naptosa) confirmed on Monday.

"Learners have also been unsettled by the violence and some foreign nationals learners have been intimidated," said Naptosa president Basil Manuel.

Teaching was also disrupted in some schools, as some foreign nationals teaching in South Africa were afraid to report for duty amid the violent attacks which have claimed the lives of at least six people.

Manuel said it was mostly schools in Pietermaritzburg and Durban that were affected.

"We understandably saw several absentees from foreign teachers who are mostly from Zimbabwe on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday," said Manuel.

He said the organisation was shocked by the attacks and called on teachers to condemn the violence and law enforcement officials to take action. He called on schools to protect foreign national teachers.

"[We] appeal to all teachers to use the power of education to fulfil their role as national-builders and inculcate a culture of tolerance, acceptance and respect for all people irrespective of nationality, race, colour, culture or religious faith," Manuel said.

He appealed to Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga to ensure that security was intensified in schools in areas of conflict.

Naptosa would support schools and teachers affected by the attacks, Manuel said.

Reference : www.news24.com