Picture: A Grade 8 learner, Tlotlo Ntokwe allegedly attacked by another learner/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Bullying continues to be prevalent in various schools across the North West. In the latest turn of events, a Grade 8 learner at Lethola Secondary School in Taung, was allegedly beaten by another learner last week. It is alleged that, a commotion between two learners ensued over a timetable. A learner was left bleeding from his nose and rushed to the local hospital for medical attention.
The North West Department of Education spokesperson, Mphata Molokwane said, indeed, there was a fight between two learners and the school management is taking strategic measures to address the matter.
“The principal of Lethola Secondary School confirmed the incident. The fight happened before the school started, outside the classroom. Two boys fought over a timetable when the other one alleged that, the other boy stole his timetable.
“The principal took the injured learner to the hospital, where he underwent an x-ray. Parents of both learners were also called and disciplinary processes are scheduled to take place next week. The case will be followed to it.,” he said.
However, the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) national coordinator, Sello Mhladisa said: “Our view as the COSAS is that, bullying is a psychological problem that needs attention. So, we will familiarise ourselves and liaise with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to say that, psychologists should be deployed in schools on a full-time basis.
“This will assist because social workers will be in a better position to identify and analyze the psychological needs of the learners. Remember, learners are from different backgrounds and schools cater to a diverse society. If you go to schools, the majority of learners are from different backgrounds.
Mhladisa further said, some of the learners have been exposed to violence at their respective homes and when they get to school, they take it out on other learners. He added that bullying is a societal problem that needs to be addressed.
“If schools decide to punish or arrest those learners who transgress, then we are going to either punish or arrest everyone because most people are suffering from psychological problems including teachers. I also think the DBE is not doing enough, hence we call for social workers to be deployed in schools.
“Teachers are not trained psychologists and they are there to teach and deliver curriculum. We have so many social workers who are unemployed across the country and they can assist in addressing these challenges,” said Mahladisa.
Meanwhile, the Scielo Organisation said: “Bullying is a global phenomenon that has the potential of impacting on children both physically and psychologically. It sometimes causes children to drop out of school and permanently damages both the psyche and education of the child.
“As indicated above, children are sometimes even killed in the process. When these incidents occur at school, a recent study revealed that a substantial amount of all bullying incidents do occur in the school context. The parties involved are often minors and therefore a critical analysis is necessary with regard to the rights of the victim and the offender.”
The Guardian 