Grade 5 learner bullied in Bredell

Bullying is one of the many social ills that society struggles to overcome, and it is common in schools.

Recently, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) heard of a case of bullying at Laerskool Bredell.

A Grade 5 LSEN learner was the victim of his classmate bully.

The boy confided in his father about the bullying, and the father took the matter to the principal and the GDE.

That was not the first bullying incident at the school.

A woman whose child also suffered bullying was unhappy with how nonchalantly the principal dealt with the situation.

The principal’s fitness to carry out his duties has now been called into question by the father.

According to him, the principal did not investigate the situation and had no disciplinary measures in place.
On July 28, the father met with GDE officials and the principal.

ALSO READ: Bredell resident wants to join anti-bullying association

The parents of the accused bully and members of the school governing body did not attend the meeting.

“The Department of Education admitted that policy was not followed because the principal thought it did not need following.

“The department apologised on their part, but the principal never admitted guilt and stuck with his story,” he said.

The father said he had asked the department to investigate the school and the principal because he does not know any policies from the school or the GDE.

The father told the Kempton Express his son had asked not to be let out at break times because of the bullying.

“Bullying is real, and I am not just standing up for my son, but for every bullied child. Schools do nothing about it,” said the father.

ALSO READ: Bredell resident wants to join anti-bullying association

Childline Gauteng defined bullying as intentionally hurting someone.

It said the effects of bullying included post-traumatic stress symptoms, low self-esteem, shyness, and loneliness.

“The victim might have poor school attendance, and scholastic achievements could drop. Long-term effects for the victim include a fearful worldview, poor personality development, depression and mental problems,” said Lynne Cawood, the director of Childline Gauteng.

“The bully often experiences traumatic events or early deprivation. Bullying is a way of building their sense of belonging and self-worth.

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

“Although the GDE is aware and concerned about the bullying incident at Laerskool Bredell, the principal’s fitness to do his job was never before called into question,” said GDE spokesperson Steve Mabona.

He said the school’s disciplinary committee instituted the disciplinary processes and recommended the appropriate sanction.

Mabona said the Constitution required that the rights and responsibilities of victims and perpetrators always be upheld, and consequently, an extensive disciplinary procedure must follow corrective measures.

“The GDE is constantly providing capacity building on learner misconduct for school governing bodies, which include teachers.

“We embarked on an awareness campaign through the quality teaching and learning campaign to mobilise communities and school stakeholders.

“This was to ensure quality teaching and learning takes place in a conducive environment, where all role-players subscribe to the key deliverables,” he said.

Mabona said affected learners and their parents would be offered psycho-social support.