Bullying in South African schools poses a significant challenge to the safety and well-being of children.
From November 15th-19th, South Africa observed Anti-Bullying Week, joining global efforts to raise awareness of the dangers of school bullying, cyberbullying, and harassment affecting our children and young adults.
A South African Reality
Bullying in South African schools poses a significant challenge to the safety and well-being of children. It remains one of the most underestimated yet persistent issues in education today. While adults may often be unaware of the extent of bullying, research reveals that it touches the lives of most South African children—whether as bullies, victims, or witnesses.
Over the past six to nine months, there has been an alarming rise in cases of bullying in South African schools, leaving parents feeling helpless and overwhelmed. Educators, school leaders, and governing body members are acutely aware of the issue but often unsure how to address it effectively. They, too, are grappling with this growing crisis.
The statistics of bullying in South African schools paint a sobering picture:
- Over 3.2 million learners in South Africa experience bullying each year.
- More than 67% of bullied children never seek help, believing it won’t make a difference.
- 90% of bullying incidents are perpetrated by learners themselves.
- Each day, 160,000 high school learners skip school to avoid bullying.
- 1 in 10 learners leave school altogether due to bullying.
- 16% of learners report being victims of cyberbullying.
Tragically, in the past month alone, three South African children under the age of 15 have lost their lives to suspected depression or desperation linked to bullying.
This crisis demands immediate and collective action to create safe, supportive environments where every child feels protected and valued.
Bullying and the South African Legal Framework
Addressing bullying in South African schools is far from simple, despite calls for zero-tolerance policies. The legal framework surrounding bullying is extensive and complex, involving over 20 laws and regulations, including:
- The Constitution and the Bill of Rights: Bullying violates at least six constitutional rights, which schools are duty-bound to protect.
- The Children’s Act: This places significant responsibility on educators and staff, requiring them to act as caregivers (in loco parentis), even outside school hours.
- The Schools Act
- The Protection from Harassment Act
- The Child Justice Act: Governs how young offenders are handled within the justice system.
- The Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA)
Additionally, implied legal duties, case law, and common law principles like the Rules of Natural Justice add to the complexity. Importantly, there is no unified law defining or addressing bullying, nor is there an official definition, further complicating efforts to combat it.
