A bullying-free school term encouraged
“We wish all the learners, teachers and parents a wonderful, bullying-free term."
As learners returned to school on Tuesday, July 19 Fleurhof-based not-for-profit company, Ipeleng Cares Foundation (ICF) reminded and encouraged the community to work together in stopping bullying to ensure that children feel safe in their learning environment.
ICF is SA’s leading not-for-profit company that promotes school and community safety by offering anti-bullying solutions to them.
Ipeleng Mofokeng who is the founder of ICF told the Record that children bully and are bullied due to unmet needs. To stop bullying does not only constitute raising an awareness about it but also active participation from parents.
“Now that schools have started we’d like to urge parents to be very vigilant and attentive to their children and their needs.
“We urge parents to dedicate at least 10 minutes of their time to intentionally catch up with their children, find out how was their day, how they are feeling and for them to reciprocate the questions,” said Mofokeng.
ICF has its own programme under positive parenting, Tea-time, which is meant to encourage parents to give their children the necessary attention, care and allow their children to be heard.
Mofokeng explained to the Record that fighting bullying is a collective effort and good parenting is at the core of it.
Parents who would like to be added to ICF”s positive parenting WhatsApp group where they can get effective tips from the foundation’s in-house occupational therapist and speech therapist can WhatsApp Ipeleng on 073 911 5460.
“We wish all the learners, teachers and parents a wonderful, bullying-free term,” said Mofokeng.
ICF recently started the Homework Assistance Centre at the Fleurhof Community Centre on Malacite Road to assist children from the Fleurhof community, especially the ones from the local soccer club.
According to Mofokeng, the homework centre is there to help parents who work long hours and are unable to check or help their children with school work, and for the parents/ grandparents who do not have comprehension of the subjects.
ICF also offers the children an introduction to their leaders against bullying programme to offer psychosocial support and character-building to the learners.
