MEC Majuba tackles bullying in public schools head-on after incident
Following the recent bullying incident that took place at the Alfred Matshine Secondary School, the MEC for education, Bonakele Majuba, undertook a follow-up visit to this school on Tuesday (September 28).
Majuba’s visit was intended to obtain a comprehensive report on how the school has managed the incident of bullying in which four learners, two from Alfred Matshine and two from another school, intentionally threw eggs and poured custard over another learner for refusing to join their gang of izikhothane.
The MEC was also interested in the preventative plan the school has devised to ensure that such incidents will not recur in the future. This visit follows an earlier one undertaken by the department, which concluded in the suspension of the learners who perpetrated the bullying, and psychosocial counselling and support was giver to the school to solve the bullying phenomenon.
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The parents of the school through the school governing body (SGB) expressed their condemnation of violence and gangsterism.
The SGB’s chairperson, Noah Chiloane, pledged on behalf of parents to work hard and smart to ensure that every learner within their jurisdiction is protected and free to learn. In his remarks, Majuba stressed the need for society to rid itself the culture of violence that manifests in various forms such as gender-based violence, gangsterism, bullying and many others.
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“It is a cause for concern that incidents of bullying seem to be on the increase presently. It is thus prudent that as school communities and government, we should be proactive to guide our learners through the code of conduct as well as the virtue of solving disputes and misunderstanding through dialogue and the involvement of teachers. As communities and especially parents, we need to cooperate on this endeavour to fight bullying and gangterism for our sake and the future of our learners and children,” said Majuba.
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“Bullying and gangsterism have a negative impact on society and thus should be dealt with and eradicated from society. I am encouraged by the learner who refused and rejected the notion to join a gang, but kept steadfast to his wish and desire to learn. I wish that we can have more learners like that.”
The MEC commended the role of stakeholders in community-building initiatives undertaken at the school.
