Bullying makes school scary
IN THE past 15 years, bullying has become the norm at schools in South Africa. It has taken a turn for the worse. I have read and heard some horrific stories about this anti-social behaviour that has plagued many schools in our country.
Recently, I heard from a young man who attends one of the so-called “esteemed” KZN schools, who related to me some disturbing incidents involving bullying.
I was told that learners who are not in cliques are subjected to embarrassing tasks. Some even told not to sit in a certain area or told not use a particular spot.
Apparently, complaints from parents of abused learners fall on deaf ears.
I am aware that there are laws that protect the rights of children which are in accordance with our constitution, which I think needs to be reviewed. A learner cannot be expelled or suspended hence giving learners rope to do as they please.
I believe it is not solely the responsibility of the school to discipline the perpetrators of bullying, it’s supposed to be a joint effort, parents as well, need to take responsibility and enforce some kind of discipline.
Parents are often in denial and ready to fight with the school authorities. We often hear that bullies have issues of their own with theories of being abused themselves, most of the time they’re made out to be the victims. What about the abused?
I once heard an ex-principal say “sometimes being bullied helps the victims face the real world”. He added that children need to be rough around the edges and that you need to fight fire with fire. What nonsense. Imagine if the fire department had that mentality, how absurd.
This needs to stop and government is not going to do anything about it because they have too much on their plate already. I remember there was a time when school was the safest place to be in, how times have changed.
Learners who are being abused need to expose these cowards to teachers, friends and family and root them out. Naming and shaming them perhaps will put a stop to it altogether. MERVYN PILLAY Durban