Bullying scandal rocks a Centurion school

The Gauteng Education Department has launched a probe into the alleged bullying of a Grade 10 learner at Sutherland High School in Centurion.

Authorities caught wind of the scandal after a video of the victim’s mother went viral on digital platforms.

In it, she was venting her frustration over the school’s seemingly nonchalant response to her complaint over the matter.

She says her plea for action to be taken against the Grade 10 male learner fell on deaf ears.

@thembi.motana I have asked Khanyisile for permission to share this!!!! #NotWithMyKids #bullyingmuststop ♬ original sound – Thembi Motana

@thembi.motana Is this what we take our kids to school for?@sutherlandhighsch ♬ original sound – Thembi Motana

@thembi.motanaShe approached me as if I’m her maid!!!!Calling me at 22:50!!!

♬ original sound – Thembi Motana

Gauteng Education’s spokesperson, Steve Mabona, says a meeting with all relevant stakeholders, including parents of both learners, was held today.

“Following this meeting, we can confirm that the school will initiate a disciplinary hearing, subject to the availability of both parents to participate in the process,” he adds.

Gauteng Education says it’s also probing how the school handled the complaint.

“Furthermore, the school will provide curriculum support to the affected learner following the incident.”

Screen shots of one social media user showed a message from another parent of a learner who was also, allegedly, bullied at the school.

Despite the school’s vision of helping each child reach their full potential, the said parent also claims that her concerns over the issue weren’t taken into consideration.

The department says it will monitor the issue closely to ensure an effective solution.

Mabona says necessary support is being given to the learners and parents involved due to the issue’s viral nature on social platforms.

“The department has deployed the psycho support team to support both learners and their parents in an effort to managing the emotional and psychological impact of this incident because you might have seen the incident on social media; we need to manage the process of making sure that we support both learners and parents,” he explains.

The department has also reiterated its resolve to ensure a zero-bullying schooling environment in South Africa.

“Bullying has no place in our schools. We strongly discourage any form of bullying within our learning environments and urge all learners to report such incidents to school management so that necessary action can be taken promptly. Schools must be safe spaces where learners feel protected and supported at all times,” said Gauteng Education MEC, Matome Chiloane. Written by Odirile Rabolao