Say no to bullying

The forum took place at the campus in Sandton on 10 June. Various teachers who teach life orientation as a subject at schools were invited to educate themselves about bullying and how they can identify pupils who are being bullied.

Educational psychologist, Felicity Tonkinson guided the forum and shared her expert advice about how teachers can help prevent bullying, assist pupils who are experiencing bulling and how to report an incident of bullying.

“Bullying is a relationship problem,” said Tonkinson. She described bullying as intentional aggressive behaviour that involves an imbalance of power that is repeated over time.

Tonkinson explained the importance of having a policy on bullying at all schools. “A bullying policy must have the definition of bullying and it must be clear and comprehensive for all to understand,”she said.

“Bullying touches everyone and it is widespread.” Tonkinson also mentioned that not only pupils experience bullying but teachers also get bullied by their pupils. “A case must and can be opened against a pupil that bullies an educator, it is not allowed,” said Tonkinson.

She went on to speak about the dangers of cyber bullying and how it is imperative that parents know what is going on in their children’s lives. “Children bully one another from a young age and parents need to take care of bullying at that age,” said Tonkinson.

“Bullies are often victims of bullying and you sometimes find that the parents are the biggest of bullies.”

Tonkinson told the educators that sometimes the problem starts at home and that they need to be able to identify children who are suffering from bullying at home and report the matter.

“We need to equip youngsters with the means to not fall victim to bullying,” she added.

Details: Felicity Tonkinson; 031 561 2789.

Do you know if the school your child attends has a policy on bullying? Find out and tweet @Sandton_News the name of that school #NoBulliesAllowed