Bullying on the rise?

Mental health care services will stop scourge, say experts.

- Masoka Dube

South African schools need mental health care services as bullying incidents seem to be on the rise. This is the view of education experts who spoke to The Citizen, concerned about cases reported countrywide.

Residents of Delft township in the Western Cape blocked gates at Leiden High School yesterday, demanding harsh action against pupils who forced a Grade 8 pupil to dip his head into a toilet bowl this month.

Parents of the 14-year-old said authorities were slow in dealing with the alleged bullies.

Bronagh Hammond, spokesperson of the Western Cape minister of education, condemned the parents' action and said the case was being attended to.

"First, it is only the head of department (HOD) who can expel a pupil. Second, the school governing body has conducted a disciplinary hearing and recommended expulsion of the pupils on Friday."

"The HOD will now have the opportunity to apply his mind. The allegations that this was a racially motivated attack are unsubstantiated at this stage."