In an effort to empower parents and members of the school governing body from Gugulethu and neighbouring areas, Ilitha Labantu hosted a positive parenting and family enrichment workshop at Intshukumo Secondary School in Gugulethu on Friday, 10 July.

The workshop is part of Ilitha Labantu’s safe schools leadership collaborative programme, which works through four interconnected pillars focused on children’s wellbeing and school safety.

Ilitha Labantu spokesperson Siyabulela Monakali said the aim is for parents to play an active role in their children’s school life.

Parents urged to take a leading role in school safety

“We want parents to play a more constructive and leadership role in schools. Many schools in the Cape Flats face challenges such as school violence, gender-based violence, and bullying,” said Monakali. He added that they want SGB members and parents to serve as community watchdogs — ensuring that things at schools are handled appropriately, holding school leadership accountable, and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children are upheld at all times.

Ilitha Labantu social worker Anelisa Mlakalaka said the aim is to empower teachers, parents, and SGB members. She noted that there is a huge gap between parents and teachers.

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Building stronger families to create safer learning environments

“We want parents to be more involved in their children’s education. They have a right to go to school and find out about the progress of their child,” said Mlakalaka.

She said families must learn to deal with their internal problems instead of running away from them, and that parents must be their children’s best friends.

Parents and SGB members equipped to support safer schools

Pamela Booysen, an SGB member at Noluthando School for the Deaf in Khayelitsha, described the workshop as helpful. She said it is breaking the barriers between children and parents, and that it opened their minds as parents.