GDE steps in amid allegations of bullying at Kempton school

Allegations of bullying have emerged from Mooifontein Primary School.

ALSO READ: GDE online application system not working

According to Brenda (not her real name), her niece, who attends the school, suffered bullying by a fellow Grade Two learner and a sibling in Grade Six.

“In January, I met with the deputy principal. She seemed blasé about the matter. I was told to wait until 13:30 before the matter would be addressed.

She said that if I am uncomfortable with that, I am more than welcome to take my niece because the two bullies have a right to an education.

“She said it was the policy,” Brenda explained.

Brenda said she felt like her bullied and victimised niece did not have a right to education when the abusers did.

“If this is their policy, something is off.

“Their policy effectively lets these children know that they can go around beating people up and get away with it because they also have rights,” Brenda said.

She added that her niece was not the only learner bullied by the two.

ALSO READ: Local police warn students about violence and bullying in schools

“Her friend from class is another victim of the same two children.

“When I raised this with the deputy principal, she dismissed it and said the other victims or parents hadn’t reported it yet.”

Brenda added that when she tried to raise the issue with the father of the two children accused of bullying, he assaulted her.

“I have since opened a case with SAPS.

“I do not feel that my niece is safe at the school, but I can’t allow her to miss class and compromise her academics because of unruly children in the school,” Brenda said.

“There should be zero tolerance for bullying in schools. I work with harassment in the workplace and deal with cases of adults bullying other adults daily because of policies like those at the school.

ALSO READ: Thembisa police lecture learners against bullying and violence in schools

“There should not be red tape when dealing with children who are bullied.

“Children who bully other children become adults who bully other adults, and the school can’t tell me that they will allow it because the bullies have a right to education while my niece navigates the school premises in fear,” she said.

The spokesperson for the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), Steve Mabona, responded to the allegations of bullying.

“We can confirm that a meeting was held at the school on February 6 between our officials and the parents of the victim.

“Disciplinary processes conducted by the school’s disciplinary committee will commence in February and the outcomes thereof will be communicated to all affected parties.”

According to the GDE, a psycho-social support team was sent to offer support to the affected learners and their parents.

ALSO READ: Ekurhuleni police address bullying within schools

“The department has a policy of zero tolerance to bullying or any form of misconduct.

“Anyone transgressing this policy is dealt with in line with the South African Schools Act Code of Conduct, which governs all schools,” Mabona said.

“We implore parents to assist the department in instilling learner discipline in and outside the school environment.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and intervene accordingly,” he added.

Also follow us on: