Highline Secondary and Van Rhyn Primary schools have created a safe environment to combat bullying among learners to ensure a mentally, emotionally, and academically prepared pupils.

The principal of Highline Secondary School, Sacky Nghuulikwa, says bullying is one of the issues that is addressed yearly when schools start at the beginning of the year, as new learners are admitted and prone to abuse by those who feel a sense of entitlement.

"Code of conduct will be issued to the parents, then we highlight the major violations that take away the joy of learners at Highline Secondary School, and that's now bullying, for instance, stealing, and also some other violations. So, we emphasise some of the aspects that we feel are too many and are frequent and common."

Because of its stringent measures, the school has not recorded any case of bullying thus far.

This has contributed to a significant academic performance improvement, as 45 learners qualified for the AS Level.

The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture's Director for Programmes and Quality Assurance, Ayesha Wentworth, highlighted the procedures to address bullying.

"So, we have to take into consideration that person who is bullying the other person: What are their circumstances? Where are they coming from? It doesn't just come from nowhere. Look at what their home situations are, and also, we advocate when there's a case of bullying; both children should be helped."

Highline Secondary School Teacher, Rene Vanstaden, explained how the school handles bullying.

"The Lifeskills teachers will call in the bully if the bullying reaches an extreme level, and then management will be called in. We do have a disciplinary committee also at school, and the disciplinary committee will normally take it up."

The Life Skills Teacher at Van Rhyn Primary School, Zebaldine Hewicke, said as an educator one has to convince the victim to open up.

"In many cases, somehow learners don't want their parents to be involved, but you later on have to tell the child, If we have to keep it here, on the other side, it might not stop."

In extreme cases, the effects of bullying can be devastating and lead some learners to take their own lives in an attempt to escape the constant fear and distress.

UNICEF and the Ministry of Education are collaborating in implementing the National Safe School Framework, which is a crucial step in tackling this persistent issue.

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Keshia Damases