Boy, 12, was allegedly pushed down stairs and kicked The injuries to the boy’s spine and back. Picture: Supplied
FOR almost a month the mother of a 12-year-old boy who was allegedly assaulted by a gang of bullies at school, has been calling for accountability.
Bernadine Naidoo, of Phoenix, said despite several attempts to get answers, nothing had been done to date, including suspending the alleged perpetrators.
The mother of the Grade 8 pupil, at Crystal Point Secondary, said her son was fearful to return to school.
“It has been almost a month but all I received is silence from the school. My child is missing out on his education. He is terrified to go back to school because the pupils who beat him up are still allowed to attend classes.”
Naidoo said parents had received a letter that the school would be closing early due the circuit awards being held on January 23 and 24.
“My son still went to school on January 23. However, he was one of only two pupils from his class who was present.
During the first period, he helped his teacher sort papers. When she left, he was placed in another class with pupils from grades 8 to 11.
“My son sat at the front of the class as he did not know anyone. During this time, the teacher reprimanded another older pupil for misbehaving. The entire class, including my son, laughed when this happened,” she said.
Naidoo said when the class was dismissed, her son walked out first.
“As he was walking down the staircase he was pushed and then kicked repeatedly on his back. When he looked back, he saw that it was the same child who was reprimanded by the teacher and a group of about five other boys.
“My son, who is small-built, could not defend himself. When the bullies stopped kicking him, they ran away. He then got up and walked to the next class. When he was picked up that afternoon, he said he was not going to school the next day. He said it was because there weren’t many children at school. So we left it at that,” she said.
Naidoo said her son returned to school on Monday (January 27).
“However, when he came home he was not feeling well. He was complaining about his chest being a bit heavy. I told him I would rub some Vicks on his chest and back and if he did not feel better, I would take him to the doctor.
“When he lifted his shirt, I was in shock. His spine area was blue, almost black. He also had other bruises on his back. I questioned him and after much hesitation, he opened up and told me what had happened,” she said.
Naidoo said they reported the incident to the school the next day.
“I requested a meeting with the acting principal. However, he said he was not available that day and would contact me with a date for a meeting later that week. I took my son to the hospital where they took X-rays. His chest was still quite heavy and he was struggling to breathe. The doctor informed me that he had severe tissue bruising on his spine. Thankfully, he did not have any fractures.
“We took him to a private doctor for a second opinion and counselling. We also went to the police station to open a criminal charge,” she said.
Naidoo said she met with the acting principal, an SGB member and a police officer on January 30.
“On the day, there were police officers giving a presentation on bullying at the school. During the meeting, we provided all the information in regards to what happened. We were informed that they would need to investigate which included speaking to my son and the other pupil.
“However, I asked them why the boy wasn't suspended as per the school’s code of conduct. However, I was informed that he was still a minor and had a right to education. I was shocked, and asked what about my child’s right to education. He said they would investigate and get back to me. In the meantime, my child was put off from school to recover,” she said.
Naidoo said she returned to the school a few days later, after not receiving any feedback.
“I asked the acting principal about what action he had taken. He said he spoke to the boy and his parents. He said the boy denied doing anything. So I requested a meeting with his parents. During the meeting a few days later, the boy still denied his actions. However his parents offered to pay for the medical bills in an attempt to resolve the matter immediately. They also apologised to my son for what he had to endure.
“But that was not what we wanted. The perpetrator needed to be disciplined and face the consequences for his action. There were also other boys involved. I said I want all of them to come forward. I was again told it would be investigated.
“On the day of the meeting I left my son at school. When he returned home he said he did not want to go back. He said the boys had spread rumours about him. He was telling everyone that my son had accused him of something he did not do.
“My child is losing out on his education, while the perpetrators carry on as normal. How is this fair? The school says they have a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, but have failed in their duty to create a safe learning environment. It is concerning as bullying has seemingly become a pandemic at schools across the country,” she said.
Naidoo said she had also written to the KZN Department of Education to investigate.
“I want to ensure that my son gets justice, and my fight should not go in vain. No child deserves to feel unsafe and unsupported in their learning environment. I hope that by speaking out about my son’s traumatic experience it would help save another child’s life,” she said.
Muzi Mahlambi, spokesperson for the KZN Department of Education, said: “We will activate our circuit manager to investigate the matter and take actions accordingly. We take the issue of bullying very seriously.”
Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo, a provincial police spokesperson, said a case of assault was being investigated.
She said a 14-year-old boy who was arrested and charged, appeared in the Phoenix Magistrate’s Court on February 12.
The matter was adjourned to March 3.
The school did not comment at the time of publication.
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