Need for mechanisms to curb bullying in schools

Gibson Mhaka

ALTHOUGH the school had always remained one of the safest places, next to the home in a child’s life, one wonders if this still holds sway in our present society given the ever-increasing spate of violence in schools.

Bullying behaviour is no doubt becoming a common feature and a nightmare in schools. It is a worrisome practice in schools because it infringes on the child’s right to human dignity, privacy, freedom and security.

Bullying can also lead to health problems, alcohol and drug abuse, social withdrawal and severe trust issues. And even to loss of life.

A case in point is that of a 16-year-old Founders High School student, Wayne Ndlovu who was recently stabbed to death by one of his peers from a neighbouring school.

Wayne Ndlovu, who was a Form Four pupil at Founders High School was murdered during a gang brawl between his school and Hamilton High. Wayne was granted a State-assisted funeral and was buried at Umvutsha Cemetery in Bulawayo on Friday last week. The tragic incident comes on the backdrop of an increase in gang brawls at boys’ schools such as Hamilton, Milton and Gifford high schools.

Most of the clashes are reportedly fuelled by the need to control territories in the city centre and generational beliefs of enmity that are passed down to freshman by the seniors during orientation.

Despite the absence of documented evidence of the prevalent rate of bullying in schools the physical, emotional and educational consequences of bullying behaviour can never be underestimated.

Studies have shown that those involved in prolonged and serious bullying of others experience a wide range of mental health, academic and social problems if they do not receive support.

The fatal stabbing of Wayne shows that bullying is a major problem in our schools and that the problem is far from over. Bullying at school is a phenomenon that occurs at almost all schools in the country, although prevalence rates vary.

The incident was also just a tip of the iceberg that deserves to be nipped in the bud. Police in Bulawayo also expressed concern over cases of gang violence in schools saying school-going children should not carry weapons.

Wayne’s father Simiko Ndlovu also made an extra-ordinary appeal to officials to hold his son’s burial service at the school in a bid to bring closure to other learners and to send a message to pupils about the dire consequences of violence.

The Government acceded to his request and a funeral service was held at the school’s courtyard.

Speaking to our sister paper The Chronicle, Founders High School class of 2012 student Prince Zhakata said gang violence between Hamilton High and Founders High was an embedded culture that will be difficult to curb.

“At times we could fight with Gifford High School but in most cases our greatest rival was Hamilton and basically in most cases we would be fighting over Montrose High School girls. I thought the violence would go down now that Hamilton is now a mixed school with both boys and girls but unfortunately the culture between the schools still lives,” said Prince. A former Hamilton student Tatenda Mutamiri (36) also said pupils from the two schools fought violent battles in an effort to assert dominance.

From Prince and Tatenda’s sentiments it is clear that there is a need by the Government to formulate laws and policies that protect schoolchildren from harassment and bullying.

Primary and Secondary Education Ministry communication and advocacy director Taungana Ndoro said action was needed to end bullying in schools and the Government was at the forefront putting in place an anti-bullying policy for schools.

“Bullying is totally unacceptable, and the Ministry has a zero tolerance towards that. We have strong policies in our schools against bullying. We also have interventions and specific counselling services which are readily available for the victims, and they have been activated,” Ndoro.

Ndoro said the ministry conducts routine guidance and counselling sessions in schools as part of efforts to address conflicts.

He said the ministry would also conduct sessions for learners who witnessed the violent attack that resulted in Wayne’s death. A counsellor Duduzile Mhlanga said school bullying can leave lifelong scars.

“When students are bullied the emotional damage doesn’t just go away, it leaves an impact that can last decades. Being bullied is both heartbreaking and miserable for those targeted. Immediate action is needed to end bullying in schools and the government should put in place drastic measures to deal with the vice.

 “To reduce the incidence of bullying and prevent its occurrence, systematic interventions need to be implemented in schools. These interventions should be comprehensive in their scope and involve students, teachers, administrators, parents and the host community.

“Bullying can also be lessened through anti-bullying programmes in schools that serve to raise awareness of the problem, target school culture, and work with pupils directly.

“Most schools may have policies to deal with bullying but do not adequately address indirect forms of bullying hence counsellors can play a critical role in preventing bullying in their schools by providing interventions to both victims and bullies,” said Mhlanga.