A frustrated parent has alleged bullying of his children at Franklin D Roosevelt Primary School. The children are in grades 2, 4 and 7 respectively.
The parent, whose name Northcliff Melville Times has chosen not to publish, to protect his children from potential future recourse, said he was angered and has been left hopeless, as he alleges that the bullying has been happening since late 2017.
The principal of the school, Hilton Westlake declined to give comment on this matter and referred Northcliff Melville Times to the Department of Education. The department sent a response noting that the incidents had been reported and that officials had immediately been dispatched to the school to investigate the allegation.
The statement said, “According to information at our disposal, the parent of the alleged victims was called to the school to seek a recourse. Unfortunately he has not been able to honour the meeting, however, we will continue to interact with the said parents until the matter is resolved accordingly. Counselling has been offered to all affected learners, investigations are underway and the outcome will determine the action to be taken.”
The Department of Education’s Steve Mabona said, “The department has a policy of zero tolerance to bullying or any form of misconduct. Anyone found to be transgressing this policy is dealt with in line with the South African Schools Act (Sasa) code of conduct, which governs all schools. Schools are always encouraged to enforce their codes of conduct to deal with bullying and other disciplinary matters.”
But, the parent said that he feels ignored by the school, saying that his son has been bullied on two occasions in 2017 and early 2018. His two daughters were allegedly bullied this year in separate incidents and he believes that the principal of the school has failed to give him any feedback.
The parent rejected the department’s statement, “The school only became interested in giving me feedback regarding the bullying of my kids once I told them that I would be going to the media with my story. I have had seven meetings this year with the principal concerning my children and not once has he given me any feedback. And yet the school staff continue to defame me, saying that I am a problem parent.”
The parent claimed that late last year, his son, who was in Grade 3 at the time, was allegedly attacked by a group of boys in Grade 6, who one day turned him upside down inside a black refuse bin. He said the school’s head of department and the principal were made aware of this matter. The parent said, “The principal made a comment that matter is not that serious. I took offence to that because what would have happened if my child had snapped his neck or if there was a sharp object in the bin?”
The parent said he is saddened by this matter because he feels the school is not dealing with the bullying seriously and fears for the well-being of his, and other, children.
