SECUNDA – Local police and SAVF social workers visited three local schools the past week as part of Child Protection Month.
The day’s visit at Trichardtsfontein Combined School in Ext 22, Secunda, focused on bullying and the different forms of bullying such as physical, verbal, social and cyberbullying.
T
hey highlighted that teachers are sometimes also victims of bullying in school by learners.
“The same respect that is shown to your parents at home should be shown to those around you at school,” said Ms Zandria Malpas from the SAVF.
Learners were given a piece of paper which they were then told to crumble up.
This crumbled up paper represented a bullied person and that no matter how one tries to straighten out the paper, it will never go back to the way it was before it was crumbled.
This was to show the learners how bullying affects a person even if they have been offered an apology.
“If you are practising bullying here at school, even if you say sorry, don’t expect that person to accept the apology,” said Mr Alfred Mahlangu, principal of Trichardtsfontein Combined School.
Mr Mahlangu highlighted a recent incident of bullying in Limpopo.
“You will be arrested. From the age of 12 years, the police can arrest you.”
“Let us stay away from bullying.”
He said those who are being bullied must not keep quiet, but report bullying to their teachers.
The learners were also told to report bullying to a teacher, principal, parent or guardian. The visit to the school ended with W/O Newstar Twala and Const Jabu Mnisi handing out pencil cases with stationery.
Schools visited were Trichardtsfontein Combined School, Marietjie School and Secunda Christian Academy.
