Exploring the Safety Challenges faced by Scholar Patrollers in the Primary Schools of Limpopo Province in South Africa

Abstract

Safety is a global concern affecting learners to and from schools. The negative effects on learners are physical and psychological and could lead to disability, depression, and decline in learner performance. Scholars are entitled to a safe schooling climate that is free from endangering their lives. The main objective of this paper was to explore safety issues faced by scholar patrols in their attempt to safeguard scholar pedestrians on their way to and from schools. A qualitative approach with a case study design was employed to provide an understanding of the threat to safety as experienced by scholar patrollers. Participants in this paper comprised educators, parents, and Grade six learners of the two former Model-C schools in the Potgietersrus circuit in Limpopo Province. Data from interviews and a document review were the data collection methods. Data collected was analysed through thematic content analysis. Research results indicated that the safety and security of scholar patrollers are receiving increasing attention. Also, the scholar patrol comprises two teams that relieve each other on an alternatively scheduled basis, scholar patrol is a call for unselfish services by fellow pupils to their communities hence the programme of scholar patrollers provides safer access to primary schools at nearby crossings. Based on the shared research results, it was recommended that all stakeholders such as educators, parents, and scholar patrollers should continue to take scholar patrolling seriously since it serves to safeguard fellow learners. The study on scholar patrolling will contribute to teaching about road safety and encourage learners to observe the rules of safety. Keywords: Patrol, Safety, Safety Challenges, Satey Initiatives, Scholar Patrollers, Traffic, Potgietersrus Circuit, Limpopo Province, South Africa