Bullying under attack at schools
Primary and high schools will be participating in the anti-bullying campaign and competition of the Eden and Central Karoo education district (ECKED) later this month. According to Roger Jacobs, head of Specialised Learner and Educator Support, the district receives many referrals of learners who complain about being bullied. Jacobs said, "The campaign will focus on this behaviour and the effect it has on learners who fall victim to bullying."
Schools will focus on anti-bullying in the week of 13 to 17 August or any other week during August.
During this week the grade educators will use the life skills workbook to highlight and raise awareness of bullying, during the life skills lessons.
The district will provide schools with a set of anti-bullying posters, and learners will be encouraged to make and decorate their own whistle-blowing boxes in classes. "Learners who do not have the courage to tell anyone of bullying will be encouraged to write a note and drop it in these boxes."
Learners will be asked to talk in assembly about bullying and sign a pledge against bullying. They can also take part in a poster making competition. Jacobs says that schools will select their best entries, which they will enter for the ECKED competition, competing against other schools.
There are two categories each for primary and high schools.
Primary school learners will be asked to make an A3 or A4 size poster for the foundation phase, Grades 4 to 5 and
Grades 6 to 7. They can also partake in an essay writing competition on the topic "Bullying and the effect it has on children" for Grades 4 to 5 (200-250 words), and Grades 6 to 7 (250-300 words).
High school learners will also take part in an essay writing competition on the topic "Bullying and the effect it has on the emotional development of children" for Grades 8 to 9 (300-350 words) and Grades 10 to 12 (400-450 words).
The second part of the competition for high schools is a speech competition about how learners can combat bullying at their schools, for Grades 8 to 9 and Grades 10 to 12. Learners are allowed to do a PowerPoint presentation instead of just a speech. Speeches and presentations must not be longer than 10 minutes and the recording of the entries can be e-mailed to Petronella. Barnard@westerncape.gov.za.
There are additional categories for all schools where they can enter a drama, rap or song about bullying in the performing arts section. Video clips of entries must be e-mailed to Silltancia.LeRoux@ westerncape.gov.za.
Schools can send photos of their best decorated whistle-blowing boxes to Rozette. Katzen@westerncape.gov.za.
The anti-bullying programme will culminate in a prize-giving event which will take place in the George Museum on Friday 12 October and winners will receive certificates.