Katlego Primary School, in Daveyton, hosted an anti-bullying campaign that aimed to raise awareness among learners and instill a message that promotes violence-free schools.
Various organisations attended the campaign to motivate the children. They included the SAPS, Kids Haven, the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (Sanca), Ithemba Rape and Trauma Support Centre and the EMPD.
Deputy principal Zodwa Mlotshwa said that this campaign will have a big influence on the children’s mind-set and it could alter their behavior in a positive way.
“There has been a lot of bullying going on and some learners practice it on a daily basis by taking other learners’ pens, books, lunch boxes, money and so forth,” said Mlotshwa.
“We are trying to pass the message that bullying is a crime and trying to find the root cause of this issue.
“After this campaign we are expecting to see major changes in how learners behave and treat each other. Learners need to understand that if found guilty of bullying others, you are liable for suspension or even expulsion from school.
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“Learners fight on a daily basis, but campaigns like these can contribute a lot in reducing the violent behavior we constantly face.”
Mlotshwa said that parents need to be able to identify such behavior, and the school is working with various organisations that can assist with identifying symptoms. Parents who have witnessed their children bully others should not be afraid to step up and help their children to better their behavior when interacting with others.
“I support this anti-bullying campaign because I almost lost my child to suicide. She was trying to take away her pain and sadness that she was suffering because of bullies.
“Children have to speak up with this problem because it can turn out to be a traumatic experience, especially when they are in the later stages of completing their primary level,” said Judith Rakgwale, a parent speaking on behalf of the community.
“I think the cause could be peer pressure, given the life stages that our children have to pass. The family background has a part to play as well, and such campaigns can help spread the message that bullying is not right and it should be eradicated,” she added.
The campaign was run to reduce the number of victims of bullies, raise awareness of human trafficking, address mental health issues facing children, and to try to motivate good parenting skills that can help learners overcome bullying.
Some children have committed suicide because of bullying and some have resisted coming to school, while other learners have suffered from panic attacks as a result of this bad behavior.
“Symptoms of bullying can be aggression, controlling other children and irrational decision-making. Parents need support in terms of supporting skills programmes that can be hosted in the schools or communities,” said Lindiwe Maredi, a Kids Haven social worker.
“Sometimes some of the parents have no knowledge of this and they realize it at a later stage. The parents can receive knowledge and guidance on how to help children who might be perpetrators of bullying.”
“If parents see that they need support with handling bullies, or handling the bullying itself, they can visit their nearest social workers’ offices, such as Kids Haven, SANCA, local schools which have links with other departments and social workers who can step in and help parents with their children in the event of bullying,” she added.
