Don’t suffer in silence, speak out – Montclair police

MONTCLAIR police are embarking on an annual school safety and violence prevention drive in a bid to raise awareness of the distressing impact of bullying reported in and around local schools.

Members of the Montclair Crime Prevention Unit, led by Sergeant Noma Mnguni, visited Clairwood Boys’ Primary School today (February 20).

Also read: Bullying: What parents should know

The rollout of the campaign aims to mobilise learners, teachers and parents in promoting a safe learning environment for quality education. More than 400 learners were warned not to carry dangerous weapons at school.

Mnguni said bullying often leads to depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, suicide, low academic performance, absenteeism and school dropouts. She said this can have a negative impact on the performance of the child who has been bullied.

“Pamphlets were distributed to learners and teachers in a bid to raise awareness on bullying, drug abuse and carrying dangerous weapons at school,” said Mnguni.

The programme entails engagement with the school management teams and school governing body on reporting and taking proactive steps to manage disruptive incidents caused by bullying in schools.

Mnguni said the campaign will be rolled out throughout other schools that fall under their area of the policing precinct.

Also read: Wentworth organisation launches ‘Know Your Status’ awareness campaign

The campaign also aims to equip learners with tools for effective monitoring and management of bullying.

According to a pamphlet issued by the KZN Department of Education, bullying is a direct threat to school safety, and it violates all children’s constitutional right to be protected and free from the negative effects of bullying.

The department said bullying incidents have been exacerbated by the rapid increase in the usage of mobile phones and the internet, which has introduced a new dimension (cyberbullying) and the use of these devices to take photographs or videos, which frequently encourages and prolongs bullying.

Types of bullying:

Physical bullying – includes fighting, hitting, kicking, pushing and inappropriate touching.

Social bullying – can include isolation, humiliation, lying and spreading rumours about someone, and embarrassing someone in public.

Verbal bullying – includes threats, insults, intimidation, homophobic or racist remarks or verbal abuse.

Cyberbullying – the use of the internet, phones and other electronic devices to intentionally harm others by posting embarrassing texts, photos and videos.

For further assistance on bullying, contact KZN Childline on their three-digit number, 116, or email: crisisline@childlinekzn.org.za.

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