NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 109
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 08/03/2012
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 06/2012)
Mr V M Manzini (DA-Mpumalanga) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:
(1) Whether her department has put any mechanisms in place to (a)
prevent and (b) eradicate bullying at schools; if not, what is
the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant
details;
(2) whether perpetrators of bullying are being reported to the
relevant authorities; if not, why not; if so, what are the
relevant details;
(3) whether (a) victims and/or (b) perpetrators of bullying receive
counselling; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant
details;
(4) whether her department has considered a system of âAdopt a Copâ
for schools; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant
details? CW155E
REPLY
1) The Regulations for Safety Measures at all Public Schools as Amended
(2007), which is part of South African Schools Act, 1996 (Act No 84 of
1996) provides clear measures to schools in terms of the management of
school safety issues broadly, declaring all schools as safe and caring
learning environments.
My department has, in partnership with the Centre for Justice and
Crime Prevention (CJCP), developed the Hlayiseka Early Warning System,
which was implemented in provinces as a tool for principals, SMTs and
SGBs to identify, record and manage threats and risks of school-based
crime and violence. Bullying is included in the Hlayiseka programme.
The Department is currently in the process of reviewing the programme
in order to broaden the aspect of bullying at schools, including cyber
bullying.
2) Yes, the Hlayiseka Early Warning System includes a reporting mechanism
to be used by schools regarding incidences of crime and violence.
3) Dealing with bullying is the competency of the school, district and
province to address such incidences in a holistic and integrated
approach in order to provide the necessary counseling for victims or
perpetrators of bullying.
4) My department has broadened the Adopt-A-Cop Programme through the
Collaborative Partnership Protocol signed by Ministers of Basic
Education and SAPS in April 2011. The Protocol aims to link schools
with local police stations for the advancement of school safety.