The social work services need and the significant role of women in the school system of the North West Province

Abstract

There have been, in recent months, an upsurge in ill-disciple and other untoward  behavior across the country’s schools. Events of violence and misconduct in the  South African schools at both primary and higher or secondary levels lead much to be desired. These events include amongst others learners’ attitude towards the  school system as a whole, behavior towards rules and regulations as well as  behavior towards teachers and peers. All these play a role in how the learners conduct themselves ultimately as well as the influence these behavior and attitude have on the other learners. Schools in the North West Province have also been experiencing these embarrassing and unwanted acts. A ripple effect results;  truancy, learning of deviant behavior like experimenting with alcohol and harmful  substance in the name of conformity, pre-mature sexual activities which in turn  could lead to teenage and unwanted pregnancies and health diseases like STD’s and HIV contraction, abortion and even dropping out of the school system. The upshot is failure to secure employment because of lack of scholastic qualification and thus  creating a trapped-in feeling in a poor socio-economic environment. The persistence of these social problems and its accompanying challenges obviously shows that  schools are not adequately equipped to deal with them. This study concentrated on the need for and existence of experts like social workers, most especially women, to deal with the menace.

Key words: School, youth, violence, bullying, social work, group work, community, educator