Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Anti-bullying programmes fail to stop latest school attack
THE Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has admitted that only 120 of 215 schools in the Metro South District benefit from its anti-bullying programmes each year.
The area stretches from Bloubergstrand to Betty’s Bay.
“The district organises an Anti-Bullying Week in May each year. We also plan to launch an Anti-Bullying Charter in August this year after extensive consultation with schools,” department spokesperson Jessica Shelver, said.
This follows the emergence of yet another video of two schoolgirls fighting, that went viral this week.
The video shows two pupils from Salt River High School – one dressed in school uniform and the other in casual clothes – and a parent exchanging blows outside the school’s premises.
The altercation allegedly stems from insults reportedly shared in a SMS from one of the girls to the other.
The video shows the girl dressed in casual clothing and her mom verbally and physically attacking the other pupil.
Crowds soon formed around the fighting females and other pupils can be seen egging them on and chanting obscenities.
The school only learnt of the incident after the fight took place and after the video went viral.
Shelver said the school was investigating the matter.
The department said all eight districts were engaged in initiatives to address bullying.
Shelver said Metro East has a Positive Behaviour Co-ordinator who works with schools, circuit managers and officials to identify schools in need of specific support.
This support includes well-structured training programmes for pupils on all levels, and teachers.
Topics include anti-bullying and violence, restorative practices, classroom management, parenting skills on bullying; self-esteem and its effects on behaviour, and addressing the behaviour of young children.
Shelver added that while the WCED advised schools on codes of conduct, the school ultimately dealt with disciplinary procedures.
“The department views bullying in a very serious light and applies a range of measures to deal with the issue,” she said.
WCED said it ran numerous anti-bullying campaigns and interventions to try to prevent bullying and deal with it when it does happen.
It stressed that behaviour was influenced by what children observed at home and in their communities.
“We need parents to teach their children how to behave, to discipline them and to provide the guidance they need to be respectful towards others and to understand how to resolve conflicts and insecurities without resorting to violence and intimidating others,” said Shelver.