ALBERTON – However, the RECORD inquired about the systems in place in relation to bullying. The Department of Education has shed some light on what the responsibility of schools and parties involved would be in cases where bullying has been reported.
The Departments Media Response states: “The Department’s School Safety policy sets out clearly the procedures that should be followed when a learner gets injured within the school premises.”
It continues to state that educators are expected to assess the extent of the injury, should there be one, and if the injury is life-threatening, the learner should be transported to the nearest hospital or clinic via an ambulance.
If the injury is not life-threatening, a teacher or principal can drive the learner to the nearest hospital. Parents of the party who is injured should be informed of the incident immediately.
“The Head Office and the District should also be alerted to the incident and an investigation of the circumstances of the incident to ensure that it is prevented from happening again,” the media response continued.
The Department further states that the learner discipline is a priority for them, reports of bullying are to be dealt with speedily when brought to the attention of the Department. SGB’s are tasked with conducting disciplinary processes of any cases of ill discipline which includes bullying.
“Currently cases of bullying are acted on immediately, parents are informed of an incident, perpetrators suspended, perpetrators go through a disciplinary process and appropriate punishment is mooted,” the media response continued.
According to the Department, learners, both the victim and the perpetrator, are afforded psychological and educational assessment, the results of the assessments are confidential.
“Support is always accorded to the learners by the department’s psychological services. An anti-bullying programme is always introduced at the affected school. Each school must have a code of conduct to deal with bullying and other discipline issues.”
Furthermore, the curriculum for the subject Life Skills and Orientation includes subjects like bullying.
The Departments’ media response ended by stating: “Bullying is a social ill that needs to be addressed by all stakeholders in and out of the education system. Last year GDE partnered with Crime Line and the SAPS to launch The Young Crime Liners, which is an additional intervention to the Department’s school safety strategy.
The Young Crime Liners initiative aims to empower learners with tools to break the silence around criminal and social issues such as bullying. It is also open to parents, educators and other members of the public to ensure the safety and well-being of children in the school environment.”
* After the editor’s note on bullying in schools went online, comments streamed in of other cases of bullying and the effect bullying has on children, the media release from the Department stated that it is a social ill and that bullying needs to be addressed by everyone involved. Join the conversation on Facebook and tell us what you think the community should do to teach learners of our schools to deal with bullies or to be able to identify when you are being a bully.
