THE Mpumalanga Department of Education is concerned about increasing number of bullying incidents at schools.
This after a video emerged on social media of an Alfred Matshine Secondary School pupil in Casteel in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga being assaulted by fellow pupils.
In the video, custard is thrown on a pupil by two kids, while others can be heard cheering.
MEC Bonakele Majuba told Daily Sun there were recordings in a space of two weeks of pupilsfrom Entokozweni High in Emalahleni and Hoerskool Sybrand Van Niekerk in Sabie assaulting each other.
“We have a lot of schools which are problematic and characterised as hot spot schools. The department is making sure we attend to such schools and remove them from the hot spot when they become better.”
He appealed to parents and communities to continue working together to ensure there was no bullying at schools.
“Our schools can’t be warzones. They should be places where our children should get education in a peaceful space,”
The pupils involved in the fight at Alfred Matshine Secondary were allegedly part of a group of skhothanes.
Two pupils who are part of rival groups told the People’s Paper they participated in these activities to spite each other.
“This is just for fun. We do this when we want to embarrass you. There’s nothing hectic,” said one of the pupils.
Another pupil said as much as this was fun, it would turn ugly.
“This will cause serious problems. What if one person decides to come with a gun and cause havoc? I foresee danger,” said the pupil.
Another pupil said they advised the victim to open a case, but he refused.
School governing body chairman Robert Chiloane said: “We’ve been trying to calm the situation. We’ve tried to find the cause and believe it is because of social activities.”
The People’s Paper tried to call the victim, but his phone went to voicemail.
Mpumalanga police spokesman Colonel Donald Mdhluli said cops were working in collaboration with the departments of education and community safety to ensure the safety of teachers and pupils.
“We urge pupils to refrain from acts of bullying and abusing their peers, because such acts can result in injuries or murder,” he said.
- In another incident, a video of pupils from Lekgulo Secondary School in the Free State fighting went viral on social media.
The schoolgirls assaulted each other with a sjambok.
It was reported that the fight started at school, when one of the girls was accused of taking someone’s boyfriend.
SunReader Matlou Malibe wrote a letter to Daily Sun today, and said these incidents were a sure contributor to killings. He said this wayward behaviour was not conceived at school, but at home.
“It’s very bad to be called to school because your child has been stabbed or killed by a fellow learner.
“We did not send our children to school to be killed or abused in any way, but things are taking that turn lately. Our schools have become death grounds,” read the letter.
“Our communities are indirectly raising thugs without realising it. Families also in a way do the same.
“Parents must lay the right foundation for their children.”
See LETTERS today
