The minister also reiterated her call for school governing bodies to enforce codes of conduct firmly and fairly.
Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube has raised alarm over the growing crisis of bullying and misconduct in South African schools
This follows recent incidents of young girls seen in a viral video bullying a fellow pupil and several claims of violent misconduct in South African schools.
Speaking on eNCA on Wednesday, Gwarube stressed that school discipline cannot be addressed with punitive measures alone.
“These things are deeply rooted in our societies, and you are seeing this kind of violence playing itself out in our schools,” she said.
Seven minors arrested
Seven teenage girls, aged between 13 and 14, were arrested on Sunday, 18 May for allegedly assaulting a fellow pupil in Johannesburg earlier this month.
The group was detained after a disturbing video went viral on social media showing the victim being attacked by her peers on 10 May.
According to a statement from the Office of the Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Gauteng, a case was opened.
“A case of common assault was opened at the local police station. Consequently, the suspects were rounded up,” said Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo.
The arrested girls have since been released into the custody of their parents.
The police confirmed that the girls were to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday to face charges of common assault.
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Bullying incidents under scrutiny
Gwarube confirmed she has been in contact with the department regarding the case of the seven girls and is being kept up to date.
“We cannot allow children to go to school only to be violated. How can parents trust that their children are safe in school when other children are violating them?” the minister questioned.
The minister reiterated her call for school governing bodies to enforce codes of conduct firmly and fairly.
She also warned that teachers involved in corporal punishment, despite it being illegal, will face consequences.
“We have zero tolerance for teachers who still practise corporal punishment,” she said.
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Psychosocial support critical
Acknowledging the shortage of psychologists in schools, Gwarube emphasised that psychosocial support must be part of the solution.
“Each of the 75 education districts has at least one psychologist allocated to schools in that area,” she said.
In serious cases, the department deploys additional psychologists to offer immediate support.
“When we had that horrific sexual assault case in the Eastern Cape, we had to bring in a group of them,” she added.
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Parental role essential
Gwarube said parents must play an active role in shaping their children’s behaviour.
“Discipline is not something that should be dealt with by just teachers,” she noted. “Schools don’t exist in a vacuum. They exist in communities.”
She praised the Western Cape education department’s efforts to involve parents and communities directly.
“I want to commend the MEC there for holding meetings with parents about school discipline. That’s the kind of innovation we need,” she said.
“We have to show up for children. They’re not born bullies. Many are children in distress,” she said.
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