The Democratic Alliance notes that three pupils from the Hoër
Landbouskool in Jan Kempdorp have plead guilty to charges stemming
from an unacceptable incident that occurred on 31 January 2015.

We hope that the case will be resolved soon so that justice can be
done. It is worrying that the matter has been dragging on since last
year. Justice which is postponed indefinitely is ultimately justice
denied.

We trust that the court will consider all relevant factors and will
impose a fair sentence. Assault and abuse can never be swept under a
carpet of ‘initiation’.

The shocking incident must serve as an urgent wake-up call to the
Northern Cape Department of Education. It is proof positive that
anti-bullying campaigns can no longer live on paper, but must become
an implementable reality in all schools and school hostels.  Every
learner deserves to go to school in a safe, secure environment and to
be free from violence, discrimination and fear of bullies.
We have submitted written questions to the department last year on its
school safety plan and training of educators in anti-bullying
campaigns. We are still waiting for a response, which leads to the
conclusion that the department has nothing concrete to report on its
anti-bullying campaign.

Does another learner need to be assaulted first before the department
will take its responsibilities seriously

 

Issued by DA