School violence 'due to social ills'

Johannesburg - The spate of senseless killings by pupils in South Africa was a result of a web of social, cultural and religious ills, the Commission for the Promotion of Rights of Religious, Cultural and linguistic Communities said on Tuesday.

"These ills undermine the concept of ubuntu/botho. This is a serious problem," said CRL chief executive officer Phumla Madiba.
The Commission condemned the killing of pupil Jacques Pretorius at the Nic Diederichs Technical High School by a fellow pupil last week.
CRL deputy chairperson, Marlene Bethlem, said schools were now faced with the challenges of loners "who want to make a mark" as well as the copycat syndrome.
Bethlem blamed school violence on the influence of songs by music groups and violence shown on television.
"The role of parents is not to police their children, but they need to honour and trust them. But also be involved in their lives and not keep them (children) at an arm's length," said Bethlem.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/School-violence-due-to-social-ills-20080826