{"id":256,"date":"2025-12-08T04:42:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-08T04:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/1newsnetwork.com\/?p=256"},"modified":"2026-02-02T11:55:06","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T11:55:06","slug":"authorities-fail-the-test-in-ending-bullying-at-schools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/1nationmedia.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/08\/authorities-fail-the-test-in-ending-bullying-at-schools\/","title":{"rendered":"Authorities fail the test in ending bullying at schools"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Bullying inside South African schools in on the increase and it seems authorities seem powerless to stem the tide<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basic Education Department and United Nations Children\u2019s Fund data from 2023 shows that around 3.2 million learners in South Africa experience bullying each year \u2013 roughly double the global average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem is not new. A 2013 study of 12 000 Grade 9 pupils found that 36% were involved in bullying as victims, perpetrators or both<\/a>. Eight percent identified as bullies, 19% as victims, and 9% as both \u2013 the last group suffering the most psychologically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the first few weeks of the 2025 academic year alone, more than 500 cases of bullying were reported across the country, with Limpopo recording the highest number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In February this year, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube said a record 548 cases had been reported in the first six weeks of schools opening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Limpopo accounted for 305 of those cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a written response to EFF MP Lorato Tito-Duba, Gwarube said the North West reported 78 cases, the Eastern Cape 68, KwaZulu-Natal 29, Mpumalanga 26, Gauteng 23, the Western Cape 11, the Northern Cape seven and the Free State one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The issue gained national attention a few weeks ago after eight learners from Milnerton Hight School appeared in court on charges of assault in the latest incident following a disturbing video circulating on social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They used various objects, including a belt and a hockey stick to assault a 16-year-old learner. The assault happened in what appears to be a locker room on school premises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As music blared intermittently in the background, some pupils appeared cheerful and unfazed while the camera panned across the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pupils have since been suspended by the Department of Education and separately arrested by police.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/watch\/?v=1723982001626249<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pupils involved in the assault appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate\u2019s Court on Thursday. The court set bail at R2 000 for each of the pupils. The conditions of their bail require the boys to avoid contacting the complainants and witnesses directly or indirectly and arrangements have been made for them to write their exams in a separate venue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There were not the only incidents reported in that week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n