Schools should be safe
places where every child enjoys their fundamental right to education. Yet, throughout
the world, reports show that violence in schools remains a problem. Girls and
boys who are seen as soft are mostly the main victims of bullying,
name-calling, physical violence and sexual violence. These experiences in
schools affect children’s concentration and academic performance.
 
In an effort to tackle
the scourge of this violence in schools, the Gauteng Department of Social Development
through its school psycho-social support service unit hosted a debate with learners
from Sedibeng West District schools at JC Kotze Hall in Sebokeng, last
Saturday.
 
Speaking to the learner’s
Social Work Supervisor, Patricia Malinga, said the objective of the debate was
to afford learners opportunity to engage on issues related to bullying and gender-based
violence (GBV) in their schools that affect them. The debate sought to ensure
prevention and early detection with regards to these two issues in schools.
Malinga further stated that in as much as they educate and empower learners
with skills to deal with bullying and gender-based violence in schools, the
department also wants them to be part of the solution on what can be done to
address unruly behaviour displayed by your fellow learners.
 
Many learners said
unequal gender norms and power relations are a key driver of this violence,
manifesting itself as bullying and physical abuse. They said school-related
gender-based violence and bullying affects many children, families and
communities and it has consequences in learners’ lives, ranging from low
self-esteem to depression. They said violence also has a serious impact on
educational outcomes, with many students avoiding school, achieving below their
potential, or dropping out of school completely.
 
A grade nine learner at
Lebogang Secondary School, Lindiwe Khoza (14), said when they talk about
bullying in schools they often think about boys as perpetrators, however, society
must not downplay the fact that there are young girls who are also
perpetrators. She said often boys talked about violence in their communities
and at home, where cultural norms have established males as powerful
authorities in families which is a notion that must be changed.
 
This was echoed by
another learner, Themba Mnyongula (16), from Boitumelo High School who said
violence was often used as an expression of frustration and power. Boys
sometimes learn from an early age that violence is a means to power and
use it in schools to achieve status and privilege.
 
“Bullying is
problematic as it affects people in different ways, when you are being bullied,
you can feel constantly insecure. Even if you’re not actively being bullied,
you’re aware it could start anytime. It has a big mental and emotional impact,
sometimes it makes people feel unaccepted, isolated, angry, and withdrawn” said
Mnyongula.