'Milnerton High has no anti-bullying policy'

MILNERTON High School, the school at the centre of high-profile bullying scandal, has no formal anti-bullying policy in place.

This is the finding the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education made following an oversight visit to the school last week in the wake of an assault of a 16-year-old grade 10 learner. 

Six pupils were charged with assault in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Thursday and released on R2 000 bail. 

During Friday's meeting, the principal noted that there was an anti-bullying policy in place but when he was asked to produce it, committee chairperson Joy Maimela said he was unable to do so, “leading the committee to conclude that it does not exist”. 

Maimela said: “The school’s code of conduct, which was provided by the principal, mentioned anti-bullying in a paragraph but with no tangible plan to address the problem.” 

The pupils, who are currently on cautionary suspension, are also expected to appear before a school disciplinary hearing.

Links between bullying and the culture within the school’s first rugby team were to be investigated, the committee said. 

Maimela underscored the need for the school to urgently formulate an anti-bullying policy, accelerate disciplinary processes and move to eradicate practices that stifle change.

"A second session will be convened on the matter, away from the school grounds," Maimela said. 

The South African Human Rights Commission recently confirmed having launched an investigation into the incident, saying: “Because of the growing concern over bullying in schools, the Commission will roll out a rights and responsibilities campaign in schools to emphasise with learners that while they have rights, they also have a duty to understand that rights come with responsibilities. 

“The rights and responsibilities campaign will capacitate learners on school codes of conduct, and respect for the rights of learners and teachers.”

In response to questions related to the Parliamentary visit, Western Cape Education Department (WCED) spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said the school was in the process of developing an anti-bullying strategy. 

“The school acknowledged that they had a social media policy, followed the abuse by no more guidelines, and that anti-bullying was included in their code of conduct. 

“They acknowledged, not denied, that they would now develop an anti-bullying policy. This has already been initiated. The WCED will also provide guidance and support in the development of the policy.”