MARTIN MAWAYA
HARARE-Social Work and Emergencies (SWE) group has urged the government to adopt the concept of School Social Work in Zimbabwe as the country continue grappling with myriad of social challenges such as the upsurge increase in drug and substances abuse and teenage pregnancies at schools.
The worldwide organisation, SWE through their spokesperson, Besley Tawonechi said having social work at schools will help to create a safe, conducive and protective school environment for improved learning, as well as reduce and eliminate cases of violence and sexual exploitation of pupils at learning institutions.
Tawonechi says Social work as a profession strives to promote social change, problem solving in human relationships, empowers and enhances the well-being of people to realize their potential.
“The rise of risk factors for children in schools has raised a great concern amongst social workers to initiate the arm of Social Work called School Social Work which is totally engaged in Zimbabwean schools due to a number of factors. School Social Work is a specialized field of Social Work which is there to assist in the meeting of needs and rights of children. School Social Work services are an integral link between the school, home and community which have an effect on the students` academic success.
“There is growth of risk factors that have been affecting the learning phase of children leading to school drop out, poor performance, suicide, pregnancies and crime. These vices will affect children in a double folded way, which is during school and after. It also has a negative impact on their parents, caregivers, teachers and the community in general.
“What is therefore required in schools is a trained professional cadre who should “demonstrate core values of service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity and competence” who happen to be a social worker,” said.
Tawonechi highlighted that schools are becoming a dearth trap rather than being corridors of education and discovery, as learning is undermined by pain, trauma and fear.
He also added that “In some cases, children’s academic performance suffers, their health and well-being are affected, and their capacity to operate as confident individuals, capable of developing open and trusting relations with others, is compromised”; hence “active and meaningful operation of School Social Work in Zimbabwe can facilitates the engagement of parents, caregivers, teachers and other professionals in parental guidance conversations,” said Tawonwchi.
He also said the negative impact of violence perpetrated through sexual exploitation and abuse; and that takes place between peers in and around schools goes beyond the learners who are directly affected by it but creates an atmosphere of anxiety and insecurity incompatible with learning.
