The video of the bullying incident that took place at King Edward VII School, which went viral on social media over the weekend has forced the school to take action as the headmaster of the school met with the Gauteng MEC of Education, Mr Panyaza Lesufi.
The school released a statement earlier this afternoon where the headmaster of King Edward VII School, Mr DCP Lovatt, said, “Today I had a meeting with the Gauteng MEC of Education, Mr Panyaza Lesufi and officials from the Gauteng Department of Education, Head Office and our own North Eastern District.”
He went on to say in the statement that certain things have been agreed upon between the school and the department of education.
The agreements are as follows:
- This incident and the perpetrators of this assault will face a full School Governing Body Disciplinary Hearing in the week, 20 February to 25 February 2017. The 3 perpetrators (2 assailants and 1 videographer) have been suspended from School as of Friday, 10 February 2017. The fina l date of the hearing has yet to be communicated to all involved.
- The Gauteng Department of Education will call for an independent inquiry into this incident and investigate the existence (or not) of Institutional bullying / initiation. This inquiry will work in consultation with all Stakeholders (Educators, Learners, School Governing Body, Parents and School Management Team). Where necessary this will extend to other schools.
- There will be Psycho-Social support offered to all learners at King Edward VII School by the Gauteng Department of Education. This will not only be for the boys’ involved in this incident but will be offered for any boy who has experienced any form of bullying or initiation.
Lovatt concluded his statement by saying, “I look forward to working with all to ensure that we offer a truly safe environment for all our boys.”
What are your thoughts on the action being taken by the school?
Let us know by posting on our timeline by clicking here.
To read the full statement released by the school, click here.
