Note to editors: Please find attached soundbite by Elmarie Linde
The DA strongly condemns the recent appalling assault on the Grade 10 boy at Milnerton High School.
We welcome the School Governing Body’s swift action to suspend the learners who will now face disciplinary hearings. We trust the process will be dealt with decisively.
As the DA, we do not tolerate bullying in society, especially in our schools.
We deeply sympathise with the pupil and his family during this tormenting period. The young pupil’s dignity stripped away by his assaulters for the sake of entertainment, is utterly awful, exacerbated by the fact that it took place at an institution of learning.
With the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) providing counselling support to the pupil and his family, we sincerely hope their path to healing and restoration will be successful.
We strongly encourage bullied pupils to raise the alarm with their parents, teachers, and principals. If the schools are reluctant to act, you can go directly to the district office or contact the WCED directly.
To report any form of bullying or abuse, parents are urged to contact the Safer Schools programme, which is tasked with combatting any form or bullying or abuse at schools.
They can be contacted on 0800 45 46 47.