MRM calls for stronger action to combat bullying in North West schools

The Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) in the North West has called for intensified efforts to combat bullying and violence in schools, warning that these challenges threaten learners’ safety, dignity and mental wellbeing.

The call was made on Thursday, coinciding with the International Day against Violence and Bullying at School, including Cyberbullying, observed on the first Thursday of November under the auspices of UNESCO.

This year’s observance is held under the theme, “Every learner safe and well: From promise to practice.”

MRM North West Provincial Convenor Pastor Lesiba Kgwele said recent interventions in Letlhabile, which the organisation identified as an area experiencing high levels of school violence, highlighted the need for stronger partnerships to create safer learning environments.

“Our recent intervention in Letlhabile identified as the epicentre of violence in schools attest to our commitment to strengthen partnerships to create safer environment and a culture that is underpinned by zero tolerance to bullying and gangsterism,” Kgwele said.

He said factors outside the school environment that contribute to trauma among learners must also be addressed if schools are to become genuinely safe and non-violent spaces.

“This is not a war that we can afford to lose or the responsibility that we can abdicate because the lives of our children are at stake,” he said.

The MRM said public dialogues would be rolled out across crime hotspots in partnership with the North West Department of Education, Community Safety and Transport Management, the Civilian Secretariat, the SAPS Violent Crime and Anti-Gang Unit and other stakeholders.

The initiative aims to prevent violence in communities from spilling over into schools.

Kgwele said the involvement of parents, school governing bodies, teacher and learner formations, churches, faith-based organisations and traditional leaders would be critical to the success of the programme.

He also called for greater involvement from technology companies to protect learners from violence and bullying both online and offline.

“The whole of society involvement is necessary as well as the participation of technology companies to protect learners, both offline and online to ensure that every learner can study, grow and thrive without fear,” Kgwele said.

“Every child has the right to learn in safety and dignity.”

The MRM said addressing bullying and school violence requires a collective response, with communities and institutions working together to ensure learners can access education in safe environments.