Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson, Phumla Sekhonyane, says they’ve had several reports about bullying in schools which confirms that it is a problem.
Sekhonyane says MEC Panyaza Lesufi has identified pupils’ discipline as one of the priorities in his term of office.
“Plans are up to establish a permanent Learner Tribunal to assist the MEC in matters relating to bullying, gangsterism, drug abuse and other related serious transgressions,” she said.
“The MEC wants cases of this nature to be expedited as well as ensuring that the department is hands-on in identifying preventative strategies to eliminate these social ills from the school environment.”
Currently cases of bullying are acted on immediately, parents are informed of an incident, perpetrators suspended, perpetrators go through a disciplinary process and appropriate punishment is introduced.
Pupils (perpetrator and the victim) are afforded psychological and educational assessment, the results of which are confidential.
“Support is always accorded to the pupils by the department’s psychological services. An anti-bullying programme is always introduced at the affected school,” she said.
Sekhonyane says each school must have a code of conduct to deal with bullying and other discipline issues.
Pupils are taught about bullying in Life Skills and Orientation and schools refer pupils to Childline, Child Welfare and to clinics for psychologists to deal with pupils’ discipline issues.
She says bullying is a social ill that needs to be addressed by all stakeholders in and out of the education system.
Last year, GDE partnered with Crime Line and the SAPS to launch The Young Crime Liners, which is an additional intervention to the department’s school safety strategy.
The Young Crime Liners initiative aims to empower pupils with tools to break the silence around criminal and social issues such as bullying.
It is also open to parents, educators and the public to ensure the safety and well being of children in the school environment.
