Parents alarmed by increasing bullying incidents at Parkfields Primary School
Parents at Parkfields Primary School in Hanover Park express their growing concerns over rising bullying incidents, as one mother shares her daughter's traumatic experiences and calls for urgent action from school authorities.
Image: File
Bullying has become a growing concern at Parkfields Primary School in Hanover Park, with several parents reporting incidents.
A mother who has asked to stay anonymous is demanding justice after her daughter was allegedly bullied repeatedly by fellow learners. She said that the incidents have left her daughter stressed and traumatised.
She claims to have reported the bullying to both the school and the Philippi police station but is frustrated with the lack of assistance.
However, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) claims bullying in schools is addressed across the province through a range of the department's Safe Schools and psycho-social support interventions, which are also available in Hanover Park.
“I want justice. The school is not doing anything. It is not the first time this has happened. I even opened an assault case with the Philippi police, but nothing is happening. I feel that something needs to be done,” she said.
According to the mother, her daughter was stabbed during one of the incidents at school. She claimed that this was not the first time her child had been attacked, stating that similar incidents had occurred previously.
“At some point, she was held and hit from behind on her back. My child is now suicidal and traumatised. What if one day I get home and my daughter is no longer there? Bullying is a serious issue,” she said.
Western Cape Education MEC David Maynier is concerned about growing cases of bullying at schools.
Image: Phiri Cawe
The mother also alleged that when she raised the matter with the school and the WCED, the incidents were downplayed.
“All I can do now is watch over my child, talk to her, and protect her. The school did not act. When I contacted the department of education, they started saying nothing happened at the school. My daughter has to attend because it is exam time, but she cannot focus,” she said.
Another concerned parent, who shared photographs of two learners she claimed had been bullied at the same school, also raised an alarm about the situation. She believes the issue is being ignored by both teachers and the school’s management.
WCED spokesperson, Millicent Merton, said the Safe Schools interventions include counselling and support from district-based psychologists and social workers, anti-bullying awareness campaigns, and curriculum-based education on bullying and online safety through Life Orientation and Life Skills.
Merton added that when incidents are reported, district teams work directly with schools to assess the situation and implement appropriate interventions.
“Schools in Hanover Park also benefit from partnerships with community organisations and broader youth development initiatives that promote positive behaviour and conflict resolution among learners,” she said.
In this case, Merton said the school acted in line with the Abuse No More protocol.
"The social worker and Safe Schools team are providing support, and the school is taking disciplinary action against the learners identified as perpetrators," she said.
School principal Wyngaard denied that bullying cases were being ignored. She said every case is attended to, and teachers are encouraged to remain vigilant.
“Bullying is a concern. Reported cases are being followed and sent to the Safe School team. We also bring psychologists. Some are reported to the police. My file can attest to that,” she said.
Wyngaard said parents often fail to attend meetings when called about their children's behaviour, adding that some bullying cases originate in the home.
“You will find out that children are staying on one street and have their personal issues, or their parents have issues. The children fight and take that to school. When we ask parents to come and resolve the issues, they do not come. We also follow all the procedures. When there were serious cases last year, we had to call the police,” said Wyngaard.
Philippi police spokesperson Captain Lance Goliath confirmed that an assault case was opened last Friday. He said that the matter would be referred to the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, as the victim is a minor.
Captain Goliath also urged parents and residents to report bullying incidents to the police.
“People should not sit with cases. They should report them so that the police can investigate. It will not help to run to the media without reporting the case,” he said.
Western Cape MEC for Education, David Maynier, said he was not familiar with the details of the matter, he strongly condemned bullying in schools.
Maynier said that while there are incidents of bullying, they are relatively infrequent, but the department was concerned.
He added that the department would reach out to the principal and teachers at the Hanover Park school to address the matter.