Thursday, December 10, 2009

Examining Privilege

by Bushteens

In this day and age, privilege is by and large tied to wealth. Money seems to make the world go round and it is money that everybody is pursuing. Is it a privilege to be alive? Is going to school a privilege?

Some systems within schools privilege some students and not others. For example, prefects have more privileges than other pupils. This includes children involved in sports. They are often unquestioned. However, even more fundamental is the system in which there is an A class and a B class. Is the A class more privileged? In some schools, the A class gets the better teachers with the result being that the B class is seen as the class with the slow learners. Is it not better to be with a diverse range of students so that you can learn from each other? In what way is it a privilege to have Mathematics as one of your subjects? Is it fair that in some schools children are taught that if they do not study Maths, Physics and other Science subjects that they will not succeed? These and other questions were discussed.

Holiday Activities

by Bushkids

The end of the school calendar is nigh, and it is the season to be Merry. The show was dedicated to things to do in and around the city, for those of us who are either traveling to Cape Town or those of us who are not leaving the Mother City for the holidays.

The Western Cape is fun-filled and full of colourful cultures and a variety of food music and beautiful sites. The turbulent past of apartheid withstanding, the people are friendly and welcoming. The places to visit are Table Mountain (cable way), Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, V&A Waterfront, Constantia Winelands, Robben Island as well as Seal Island and Boulders Beach. Of course not forgetting the beaches and Cape Point. There are also the Hop-on, Hop-off bus tours that go all the way around the peninsula.

However, if you want to stay at home, there are a number of board games that you can play with family and friends. Not to mention the multitude of opportunities to use your imagination.

Comedy Hour

by Bushtots

Q: What do you call a sheep without legs?
A: A cloud

This week, we kept the show light and funky. We told our favourite jokes, some more wittier than others and others well, a drier than a piece of bark. Nonetheless we had a good laugh and were in stitches.

Q: What do you call a monster with twelve ears?
A: Eerie

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Animal Cruelty

by Bushteens

Often when we speak about cruelty to animals we are shown horrific pictures of baby seals being clubbed for their fur. We are also shown how dogs and various pets are mistreated – at the worst of times by their owners. However, there is another side to animal cruelty. This side is kept out of view of the public eye, with those in the know either not caring enough to do something about it. This is the maltreatment of animals that are used to produce the meat that we eat (daily).

Pigs, cows, chickens are kept in spaces that are too small for them to even turn to scratch themselves. The food they eat at times is made up of the remains of other animals. They are injected and/or fed a multitude of antibiotics and various other medications. All this is in a bid to fast track their growth and of course, keep the meat young, tender and juicy. We will not even speak of the processes by which they are slaughtered – it’s enough to say that a number of these animals feel a lot of pain.

Violence in Schools

by Bushkids

For the longest time now, we have been inundated with stories of teachers being stabbed by pupils – not thieves that invade the school but by pupils that they are there to teach. This has been going on for some time. Pupils are now stabbing each other, with whatever they can get their hands on, including scissors.

The presence of police and sniffer dogs in schools conducting random drug and weapons searches is now an all too familiar sight in a number of schools. It is actually a part of the school’s timetable in most instances.

What is going on in our schools? Are they not supposed to be halls of education, discipline (no, not corporal punishment) and excellence? What is bullying like in such a violent society?

We are currently in the middle of the 16 Days of Activism against the Abuse of Women and Children. Can we really hope to change the culture of violence that plagues our society if children are not only being violated but they are also now enacting violence on each other at such an early age?

Violence in Schools

by Bushkids

For the longest time now, we have been inundated with stories of teachers being stabbed by pupils – not thieves that invade the school but by pupils that they are there to teach. This has been going on for some time. Pupils are now stabbing each other, with whatever they can get their hands on, including scissors.

The presence of police and sniffer dogs in schools conducting random drug and weapons searches is now an all too familiar sight in a number of schools. It is actually a part of the school’s timetable in most instances.

What is going on in our schools? Are they not supposed to be halls of education, discipline (no, not corporal punishment) and excellence? What is bullying like in such a violent society?

We are currently in the middle of the 16 Days of Activism against the Abuse of Women and Children. Can we really hope to change the culture of violence that plagues our society if children are not only being violated but they are also now enacting violence on each other at such an early age?

Fashion: What's Hip and Hop?

by Bushtots

Once upon a time it became cool to wear baggy pants. Now, your pants must not only be baggy but they must also sit at a certain level below your bottom. But then again, this depends on which trend you adhere to. For others, both boys and girls, it is the skinny jean that is the order of the day. These can also be worn at a certain level below one’s bottom. It really matters very little whether the clothes you are wearing are labels or not. Fine, to a number of boys it matters a great deal – especially for sneakers.

No matter what you decide to wear, is it cool for your grandparents to wear the same things? We think not.