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Speech by MEC Sizani at the Juvenile Offenders Seminar
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Speeches and Media Releases
 Education

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 EASTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT
 SPEECH BY MEC STONE SIZANI
AT THE SEMINAR ON JUVENILE OFFENDERS
20 FEBRUARY 2001

Introduction

&#145; Dont laugh at a youth for his affectations; he is only trying on one face after another to find a face of his own (Logan Pearsall 
Smith).

Each period in life presents developmental challenges and difficulties that require new skills and responses. In adolescence (age group 12 
to 16) two major obstacles regarding barriers to development must be confronted and be addressed namely; (1) achieving a measure of 
independence or autonomy from ones parents; and (2) identity formation, the creation of an integrated self that harmoniously combines 
different elements of the personality.

I would also like to highlight issues that causes young people to get derailed and become youth offenders.

1. Reactions to physical changes

Adolescence is ushered in by a series of dramatic physical changes, e.g., rapid increase in body height and weight, development of 
reproduction organs and the appearance of secondary sex characteristics.

1.1 Body image and adjustment

Young adolescents are frequently fascinated with, and continually appraising, their bodies. Are they the right shape and size? How do they 
compare with the ideal? Sociologically, adolescents can be considered a marginal group, either between cultures or on the fringe of a 
dominant culture. Typically such groups tend to exhibit an intensified need for conformity. For this reason, adolescents can be extremely 
intolerant of deviation, whether it be a deviation in body type, such as obesity or just plain how or she looks.

1.2 Gender identity and sexual practice

Directly related to the biological changes that adolescents must face is the issue of a mature gender identity. This includes the 
expression of sexual needs and feelings and the acceptance or rejection of sex roles. During this stage young people start entering into 
relationships in which sex play a central role.

1.3 Social relationships

For most young persons the peer group of age-mates provides a supportive network that makes it possible to become autonomous and to 
experiment with different cultural values while at the same time meeting their needs for emotional closeness. The friendship group also 
helps each person to create his or her own social style. Although we know that friends are an important issue to all adolescents, the 
nature of friendship changes significantly during the adolescent years.

1.4 Moral development

One of the most important changes that occur during this period is moral development. At first they define right behavior as that which 
pleases or helps others and is approved by them. Secondly, there is a shift towards abstract social virtues such as "doing ones duty, 
being a "good citizen" respecting authority and maintaining social order. Thirdly, they become aware of discrepancies between what appears 
to be "moral" and what is "legal" and this awareness may lead to conflicts over following ones conscience as apposed to obeying the law. 
It is noteworthy to consider that the substance of adolescents values depends heavily on the social and historical period in which the 
live.

1.5 Youth offenders

Minor offences are said to characterise the behaviour of all adolescents. Petty theft, for example, is widespread in early adolescence. In 
their rejection of parental values and in their experimentation with varying roles, most young people will engage in deviant acts at some 
time. There are, however, a number of true criminal acts that range in seriousness from shoplifting and vandalism to robbery, rape and 
murder. Whether or not individuals are labeled youth offenders depends on whether they are caught, how often, to some extent, on socio-
economic status. Statistically, across the world, youth offender rates are highest in poor urban areas. There also appears to be a 
connection between broken homes and youth offences.

Sociological statistics and theories help to link youth offenders to environmental factors, but they do not explain individual 
psychological factors. According to some psychologists, individuals are not offenders because of their colour, race, gender or socio-
economic status. They may be offenders because, as individuals, they have repeatedly been unable or unwilling to adjust to society or to 
develop adequate impulse controls or outlets for anger or aggression.

No single factor is responsible for a young person to become an offender: stress, skills deficiencies, and situational constraints all 
combine to produce problem behavior. Families of young offenders typically experience a multitude of challenges. These difficulties, in 
combination with poverty, school problems, and deviant peers (friends) result in an adolescent being at high risk of engaging in unlawful 
activities.

The adolescent who is most likely to engage in deviant behaviour is one who does not value academic achievement, who is overly concerned 
with independence from adult figures, who sees society as problematic, who is not religious, and who experiences little guilt related to 
transgressions.

1.5.1 Psychoactive drugs

These drugs are so commonly used in our country that the individual who has never used them might be considered an oddity. Alcohol and 
nicotine are the two drugs with the greatest abuse potential. There is also an increase in the usage of harder types of drugs (Ecstasy, 
Mandrax, etc.) as well as certain kinds of stimulants and inhalants.

2. Learners with Special Educational Needs (LSEN)

International trends towards a society that reflects diversity emerged strongly at the World Conference on Education for All, 1990. This 
was followed by the Salamanca Statement, 1994 in Spain which shaped the agenda for inclusive education. Its major emphasis was a call for 
inclusion of the worlds children in schools and the reform of school systems to make it possible.

The statement proclaimed that: every child has a fundamental right to education;

Every child has unique characteristics, interests, abilities and learning needs; schools and educational programmes should take into 
account the wide diversity of these learners needs; those with special educational needs must have access to institutions which should 
accommodate them within a system capable of meeting those needs.

Youth offenders are learners with special educational needs.

2.1 An integrated multi-disciplinary approach

In order to address the special educational needs of young offenders, it is imperative to address this challenge holistically. The 
Department of Education has been involved in addressing learners with special educational needs by providing education in 42 institutions 
which specializes in specific categories of special needs. A Pilot project has been started to initiate the idea of inclusion.

In order to assist these young offenders, especially during the time of them awaiting trial, Institutions should put contingency measures 
in place. In other words, that the school will update the learner regarding lost teaching time and notes and even have a peer support group 
to assist. The Department of Education has Regional and District structures that can assist in these intervention strategies.

The role of the parents is of utmost importance during this stage and the communities should be encouraged to assist those parents who have 
a child/children in this dilemma (Support Groups).

Inter/intra-collaboration between the various Departments, e.g., Education, Welfare, Health, Safety and Security (Correctional Services) 
need to be strengthen. This is a complex problem and the main aim should be on preventative rather on curative intervention.

The role of the Church must never be underestimated. The church has strong links with the community and can play a vital role in assisting 
parents and children regarding the hidden dangers that will have a negative effect on them and their families once they get involved in 
these deviant activities.

All other stakeholders have a role to play in this intervention programme in order to accommodate the learners with special educational 
needs.

I want to conclude by thanking you all for paying attention to this urgent appeal so that we all can take responsibility for our youth, 
they are the leaders of the future!!

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