FIGHTING FOR PEACE IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN CLASSROOM: PEACE EDUCATION THE MISSING LINK?

The post-apartheid education in South Africa is based on the Constitution of the Republic (Act 108 of 1996). Among its aims are to heal the divisions of the past and improve the life of all citizens. The policy is also intent on preparing the learners to live in a free non-racial and democratic country. This curriculum is ideal; with learner-centred approaches, learners are expected to act in the interests of a society that respects human dignity and morality. Schools are seen as institutions that could instill the democratic ideals in a country that is still trying to address the past ills left behind by the apartheid damage. However, years after the attainment of the democratic society, there are a number of challenges that schools face: drug abuse, sexual violence and hate crimes are among these. Recently, South African children have witnessed widespread xenophobia meted by society against black African foreign nationals. This article explores Peace Education, an aspect that the current system is hardly emphasizing. Effective Peace Education goes beyond building peaceful citizen; it yearns to develop citizens that can enhance democracy and social justice. There is a need to create proactive citizens who will be creative peace soldiers, who manage conflicts effectively, showing respect for fellow human beings. Teachers and schools can play a vital role in the creation of these future citizens. Some critics perceive Peace Education as a contentious and value-laden approach; however, the society needs strategies to act against the threat of violence that has brought the culture of learning and teaching almost to a standstill in many schools.