School road show highlights bullying

THE Brighton Beach police’s Captain Lollipop Be My Buddy, Not a Bully road show made a stop at Marlborough Park Junior Primary School. Created to help learners identify bullying, the road show provided ways in which children can curb bullying related incidents at school.

Communications officer of Brighton Beach police station, Captain Louise le Roux, armed herself with colourful foam presentation boards she created with cartoon characters to assist her in enhancing the learning experience for the little ones when she engages them. During phase one of the road show, learners in the foundation phase of local educational institutes were targeted.

Le Roux was assisted by the station’s community safety and liaison volunteer, Nxolo Shinga, during two sessions with about 310 learners. Actions which constitute school bullying were also addressed while police educated learners about punching, pulling, kicking, teasing, swearing and lying.

The theft of personal property from fellow learners such as money which children usually carry for lunch or transport, school uniform, stationary, lunch, and school books were also discussed. The theft of school property was also discouraged.

“We also encouraged learners to use the words ‘thank you’, ‘please,’ and ‘I am sorry’ if they had done something wrong, especially when engaging their teachers and fellow learners. Through the support of educators, 310 school bullying information guides were be placed in the homework books of learners as support material for parents, guardians and caregivers. Through this initiative, the strategic objectives of the police was attained. The presentation hosted educational value, while focusing on a prevailing ills within our schools that threatens the wellness of learners daily. We thank the staff of Marlborough Park Junior Primary School for affording police with a platform to host the safer schools initiative,” said Le Roux.