School given last warning over bully
After months of bullying, a high school boy's mother has had enough.
A distraught mother has had enough of her son being bullied consistently at a local high school and has now taken the matter to the Department of Education.
“For months my son has been bullied by the same child. I have reported the matter to the school, but still the bullying continues,” the mother, whose name is being withheld due to the sensitive matter concerning children, said.
She said last week was the final straw when her son returned home from school with his school clothes completely torn allegedly by the same bully.
“Is the school going to wait until my son is seriously injured before something is done?”
The mother told the News that she plans to contact the Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit at the police to further investigate the matter.
Meanwhile, the high school commented on the matter by saying the school does not tolerate bullying in any form, and all members of the school staff are committed to promoting a safe and caring environment for learners.
“Staff, learners and parents will work together to address issues of bullying when these arise,” the statement read.
When an incident of bullying or suspected bullying is reported, a school will usually take these steps:
• A suitable member of staff will meet with the victim to establish what has been taking place.
• The victim’s parents will be contacted and informed of the situation, and kept informed of the school’s actions and approach.
• A suitable member of staff will then meet with the perpetrator of the bullying incident to hear his or her side of the story, and to ensure that the bullying behaviour stops immediately.
• The incidents will be recorded.
• In the event of repeated bullying endangering one or more of the learners in the school, the perpetrator may be suspended and further disciplinary action taken.
“In incidents involving cyber bullying, whether they occur on or off the school property, the school reserves the right to take the same action as for other incidents of bullying,” the statement concluded.
Yet, as the school closes for the year, the worried parent is concerned about next year’s incidents that could harm her child.
Read more here:
• How to deal with bullying in schools
• Parents had enough of school bullying
