'Policies alone don't prevent bullying' - Education expert

Warning lights of school culture.

That's how one education expert is describing incidents of bullying like the one involving Milnerton High School pupils recently.

There was widespread shock when a video showing several learners assaulting a fellow pupil went viral last week.

It has led to calls for more robust anti-bullying policies in schools.

But, education consultant, Dr Nazli Domingo Salie, said that such incidents mustn't be viewed as isolated acts of cruelty.

"These incidents are symptoms," she said.

While most schools have anti-bullying policies in place, their effectiveness is called into question when learners feel that reporting bullying won’t make a difference.

"A policy should include that a learner must feel safe at school," said Salie.

Crucial to that is that the school fosters a culture of support, and often that is not happening, she suggested.

"Bullies thrive when systems are weak and when responses are inconsistent."

Salie said it's vital that principals and teachers know how to respondwhen bullying occurs and, more so, they need to act "quickly, fairly and transparently".

"When a school hesitates and when a school delays in acting, the learner receives the message that power wins, and it's right there that fear replaces trust."

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has confirmed that Milnerton High followed due process when incidents of alleged bullying were reported to the school last week.

To listen to Salie in conversation with Africa Melane on Good Morning Cape Town, use the audio player below: