A harassment order has been obtained against three Grade 8 pupils at Warrenton High School to prevent them from emotionally abusing and bullying a fellow pupil.
AN HARASSMENT order has been obtained against three Grade 8 pupils at Warrenton High School to prevent them from emotionally abusing and bullying a fellow pupil.
In terms of the order, they may not swear, threaten, intimidate or harass the pupil and are to suspend all forms of communication with her.
The father of the affected pupil stated that his daughter was receiving letters in which demeaning remarks were made about her.
In the letter, the pupil was told that she would be beaten up and that she was “stupid and ugly because she was Tswana”.
In one of the notes it stated “jou ma en pa se ****” and that the pupil’s mother was squint and “sy maak my **** naar”.
“I am glad that she is no longer playing netball because the teacher thinks that she is the best and she is not. She is stealing my place,” another handwritten letter stated.
Her father indicated that he had been unsuccessful in his attempts to resolve the matter with the parents of the pupils, the district office of the Department of Education and the principal.
“No steps have been taken against the perpetrators. My daughter is traumatised and is undergoing counselling. The impact of bullying cannot be underestimated as it can lead to suicide,” said the father.
Northern Cape Department of Education spokesperson Geoffrey van der Merwe stated that the department’s district office was aware of the allegations of bullying at Warrenton High School.
“Our district office has assembled a team, which is currently investigating this matter,” said Van der Merwe.
“We view these allegations in a very serious light, as it might have a long-term impact on a child’s well-being and in some cases also leads to incidents of serious self-harm. We have tasked the district office and management of the school to move swiftly to address this matter with the pupils and other role-players.”
