Bullying on the rise in WC schools

BULLYING continues to grow at schools across the Western Cape with more parents coming forward.

- MARSHA DEAN

In the latest incident reported at Belgravia High School in Athlone, the parents of a Grade 9 learner opened a case of assault after their daughter was slapped in the face by two other children.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. According to research done by the University of Cambridge and the South African Research Council in August with 5000 children in the 11-14 age group at 72 public schools in Cape Town and Durban, over a third (36.3%) of learners were involved in bullying behaviour.

A total of 8.2% were bullies, 19.3% victims and 8.7% as bully-victims. Male learners were most at risk of both perpetration and victimisation and younger boys more vulnerable.