My heart goes out to the mother of the 15-year-old girl who committed suicide after being bullied at school. As a former victim of bullying at school in my teenage years, I have always made it a point to ensure my girls never went through what I experienced.
I believe as parents we must educate our children about the dangers of bullying and how it is also a criminal offence. As much as I believe the police were correct in arresting the perpetrator and charge her with a criminal offence, on other hand I feel sorry for her and her irresponsible actions.
The sad part about this incident is that besides a possible criminal record, the perpetrator will live with a guilty conscience.
Principals and school governing bodies, with the Department of Education and police, should get together to formulate policies and rules that will criminalise bullying in schools.
Salamina Thobejane
Molekei Section
Katlehong
