BULLYING at schools topped the agenda during the Matric Excellence Awards on Thursday, 8 February.
Different speakers addressed pupils, teachers and parents from schools in the Umfolozi Municipality and shared concerns about bullying at schools.
They appealed to pupils to stop bullying each other because most children resort to taking their own lives when faced with such situations. Some end up dropping out of school.
A grade 11 pupil from Mpephose High School recorded herself sharing a traumatic experience of being bullied by another pupil.
Umfolozi Mayor Xolani Bhengu said they were worried about the rate of bullying at schools.
"This is a chance to engage with all the stakeholders about this matter as it requires us to work together to end it,” Bhengu said.
He appealed to pupils to stop bullying each other and focus on their schoolwork to get top marks.
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Bhengu said they spent R500 000 to make sure they celebrated the hard work of the matric pupils who put their area on the map.
The top 10 matrics received laptops, vouchers, certificates and trophies.
"We're giving them all these gifts because we want them to be able to get everything they need before heading to varsity,” he added.
IFP youth leader Mncedisi Maphisa warned pupils and teachers against bullying.
"We're calling on all pupils to stop bullying each other and focus on what they came to school for," said Maphisa.
Top-achiever Sibusisiwe Msane from Welabasha High School said what helped her was staying focused throughout the year.
"I use extra learning documents to prepare, hence I managed to obtain distinctions in all my seven subjects," said Sibusisiwe.
