Introduction

School should be a place of safety where girls and boys can thrive and learn. It is a beacon of hope, pride, and joy for any school-going child, yet children are too often exposed to staggeringly high levels of violence, perpetuated by deeply ingrained social and gender norms, above all institutionally or nationally endorsed forms of corporal punishment. This has over the years created grave consequences, harming children’s education and well-being, and above all, limiting their life chances. Despite all these dilemmas and infringements, violence in schools has not received nearly enough political attention or funding from governments or donors across the African continent.  Zimbabwe, in particular, is based on the wrong pretext of the Child having the responsibility of his/her states, community, or family under the African Charter.

The Impact of Violence on Children’s Education and Wellbeing

It is of paramount importance to address violence in schools because it’s harmful in itself and stopping violence in this scenario is a priority for the education sector. Keeping children safe from violence also delivers concrete benefits across multiple indicators of short and long term well-being for children. There is a consistent indicator that corporal punishment is associated with poorer learning outcomes. Sexual violence in African states is not legal but children, especially girls, are exposed in unacceptably high numbers to egregious crimes of sexual abuse and harassment in schools as well as in uncontrolled and unmonitored public transport systems that have become the greatest enemies of child safety in most of the African states.

Sexual orientation, gender identities and expressions, disabilities, race, and ethnicity have become sources of child violence in some African states. In one way or the other, violence is limiting or affecting children’s interactions and enjoyments of school environments. It is cardinal that governments across Africa must partner up with a diverse array of educational stakeholders and those who deeply care about helping children acquire fundamental skills to jointly prioritise the elimination of violence in schools to help children thrive in school.

How to Prevent Violence in Schools

There is a great need to have a robust legal framework that regulates teachers, headmasters, students, and the population of Africa. The body of law should be pragmatic and be able to achieve the desired results of stopping violence against children, as well as promoting a caring and compassionate approach to children’s needs so that the best interests of the child are upheld. There must be a clear and efficient reporting mechanism or procedure that guarantees quick and effective responses to any violations. Africa is rich in indigenous teachings about healthy, respectful relationships or interactions that are non-violent. The greatest weaknesses in most African state’s body of law on children’s rights are the methods used to apply or the use of discipline on children in school. These disciplinary law(s) in African states have never divorced themselves from a violent application, something which has become the greatest source of violence on children inside the beautiful walls of classrooms. Therefore, using positive and progressive disciplinary methods can reduce levels of violence and increase safety for children in schools.

Conclusion

It is important to say that in Africa, there are big gaps in terms of knowledge on how to make African schools a place of safety without compromising the disciplinary system. The key should be on improving learning and safety for the child rather than focusing on discipline as a weapon for education. The gaps in disciplinary methods have created unsafe school environments and affected the well-being of the child in most schools. It is important for the government and stakeholders to have a robust consultation on child-centred disciplinary methods that are meant to make participation in schools more friendly and compassionate. Education holds the potential to address discriminatory social and gender norms, behaviours, and stereotypes that results in violence, and as such, schools have the duty of building a future where every child can be safe.