‘Policies Aren’t Enough’: Western Cape Schools Grapple with Rising Bullying Cases

‘Policies Aren’t Enough’: Western Cape Schools Grapple with Rising Bullying Cases

A shocking video of a 16-year-old Milnerton High School pupil being assaulted by peers has ignited renewed scrutiny of the Western Cape’s handling of bullying in schools. The footage, which quickly went viral, shows the severity of the incident, sparking outrage among parents, educators, and social media users alike.

Six pupils have since been charged with assault at the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court, but the incident has also highlighted a deeper problem: many schools in the province lack comprehensive anti-bullying policies.

Gaps in Policy and Protection

During a recent oversight visit, the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Basic Education found that Milnerton High School had no dedicated anti-bullying policy in place.

WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond noted that while schools are legally required to address bullying under the South African Schools Act, this does not mandate a standalone policy. Instead, schools are expected to tackle bullying through codes of conduct and general disciplinary frameworks.

“Many schools do choose to implement dedicated anti-bullying policies as part of best practice. They are also encouraged to include social media policies to address online bullying,” Hammond said.

Despite these recommendations, 69 bullying incidents were reported to Safe Schools in the first half of 2025, alongside 65 expulsions for serious misconduct, a sign that while the law provides a framework, enforcement and preventative measures remain inconsistent.

Culture of Fear and Social Media Outcry

The Parliamentary committees described a culture of bullying at Milnerton High, warning that it can have long-lasting impacts on learners and educators.

“Education cannot thrive in an environment of fear. A learner who feels unsafe cannot learn, and a teacher who fears discipline cannot teach effectively,” said Joy Maimela, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Education.

On social media, parents and students echoed these concerns, sharing personal stories of harassment, cyberbullying, and intimidation in schools. Calls for improved reporting mechanisms and anonymous channels for victims have grown louder in response to the viral assault video.

Experts Call for Cultural Change, Not Just Policies

Professor Nuraan Davids of Stellenbosch University argued that anti-bullying policies alone are insufficient. “Policies can direct desired behaviour in ideal contexts, but bullying will persist unless every individual, teachers, administrators, parents, and learners, actively works toward a culture of respect, kindness, and inclusion,” she said.

Davids stressed that students imitate what they see, not just what they are told, highlighting the need for teachers and principals to model the behaviour they wish to instill.

Political Pressure for Reform

Opposition leader Khalid Sayed criticized the WCED for allowing inconsistent approaches. “It is deeply concerning that there is no standardised anti-bullying framework across all schools in the province,” he said.

The Portfolio Committee has directed the WCED to assist schools in developing comprehensive anti-bullying policies and reporting structures. These measures include anonymous reporting options to give students safer avenues for coming forward.

A Turning Point for Schools?

The Milnerton High case has sparked a province-wide debate on the role of schools in protecting learners. With bullying, both physical and online, on the rise, the consensus among educators and experts is clear: legal codes alone cannot create safe environments.

Experts, parents, and lawmakers are now pushing for culture change, better oversight, and tangible actions to ensure South African schools are safe spaces for learning, not arenas of fear.

{Source: IOL}

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