Bullying in KwaZulu-Natal schools has reached alarming levels, with many cases going unreported, according to the KZN Parents Association. The organisation has called for stricter disciplinary measures to curb the growing crisis.

“Bullying is very prevalent. It’s actually becoming a huge problem now,” said Vee Gani, chairperson of the KZN Parents Association.

“We are hearing about a number of schools where bullying incidents are being posted on social media and other places. But you must understand that there’s even more bullying happening that is not reported. Children are being bullied in classrooms, in schools, and sometimes they don’t even complain.”

He was commenting following a recent bullying incident at Nqabakazulu High School in KwaMashu, where a video circulating on social media shows a pupil physically attacking another student inside a school toilet.

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has since condemned the incident, confirming that the matter was reported to the school last week and that action has been taken against the perpetrator.

The department expressed outrage over the incident, with spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi confirming that disciplinary action is already underway.

“We have since contacted the circuit manager to investigate the matter. The report we are getting is that, yes, the matter was reported to the school last week. And the girl has been suspended and is scheduled to appear before the disciplinary committee this Thursday. After that, they will then make recommendations to the head of department,” Mahlambi said.

“These kinds of scenes that we are observing from our schools disturb us. We are going to be taking drastic disciplinary measures so that we deter the recurrence of this in other schools or from the same school involving other learners.”

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Education, Sipho Hlomuka, reinforced the department’s commitment to fighting bullying in schools.

“Bullying as a whole is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our schools,” Hlomuka said.

“We, as a department, are committed to ensuring that all learners feel safe and protected within the school environment. We encourage learners to report bullying incidents so that they can be addressed immediately.”

Daniel Chettiar, founder of DSK Group, an NPO working on bullying interventions, believes that legislative changes are urgently needed.

“We need a policy, we need a judicial process, we need the Justice Department to change the law and give us an anti-bullying bill,” Chettiarsaid.

“Nothing is getting done. We have girls getting beaten up by other girls. There are no policies establishing anti-bullying laws in schools.”

Chettiar said that bullying has worsened since the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We get complaints 24/7. It’s not just physical bullying, it’s cyberbullying, sexual bullying, racist bullying. It’s everywhere, and it’s getting worse.”

He suggested that anti-bullying laws should be as strict as gender-based violence policies.

“We have laws against gender-based violence, and amendments were made in August 2021. Why can’t we do the same for anti-bullying?”, he questioned.

Despite the department’s intervention, the KZN Parents Association said schools are failing to address bullying effectively.

“I don’t think they’re doing enough, to be honest. Schools need to take bullies and subject them to the disciplinary code of conduct. They need to hold tribunals and deal with them decisively,” Gani said.

He also urged parents to take responsibility for their children’s behaviour and to educate them on the consequences of bullying.

“Parents, please speak to your children about bullying, its effects, and the consequences. If your child is a bully, they need to understand that the school will deal with them decisively,” he said.

Gani called for harsher disciplinary measures, including expulsion for repeat offenders.

THE MERCURY