EDUCATION COMPROMISED

Sir,

We are all of the ideology that when pupils sexually harass other pupils, teachers must intervene. But what do we make of the situation when the ones who are meant to protect these pupils turn around and take advantage of them?

The pupils’ seductive behaviour towards teachers cannot be used as a defence for sexual harassment. There are so many ways in which to discourage female pupils from making advances on teachers that schools can employ. It is simply unacceptable for teachers to give in to such immature acts.
Sexual harassment is not mutual and is unwelcome. It is rude, demeaning behaviour and is usually about the abuse of power. In fact, sexual harassment psychologically hurts the women involved and the school/learning atmosphere.

Protect

There are bigger and more important things to protect, such as the future of these children, their safety, their health and their rights. If pupils attacking teachers offends you, then teachers who take advantage of female pupils should upset you even more.

Compromised

It has become increasingly clear that schools need to have and enforce sexual harassment policies. Equity in education is compromised and jeopardised by the existence of sexual harassment in educational institutions. While we acknowledge that boys get this unwanted attention from teachers too, but the impact on girls is far more devastating.

Sexual harassment starts from inappropriate jokes, looks, sexually suggestive touching and fondling in corridors, and eventually leads to sexual intercourse. This could be through manipulation or threatening, either way the result is the same.
Most often, female pupils who experience such treatment from their teachers usually suffer in silence and pain. The only indication is a significant drop in school grades, reduced self-esteem and lack of participation in class.

Such stories are an indication that it is about time that pressure is brought to bear on educational institutions. Too often high schools, colleges and universities had excused or turned a blind eye to the crimes of serial sexual predators. We applaud the media for bringing such stories to the attention of emaSwati. This kind of sustained attention is precisely what is needed to come to grips with the problem. Nothing less could do the trick.

Nomsa

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