Watch: Bully suspended after lighting girl’s hair on fire
A boy from Belgravia High School in Cape Town has been suspended after a video of him lighting a fellow student’s hair went viral on social media. The Western Cape Education Department confirms the boy’s suspension. In the video the boy set a girl’s hair on fire while taunting her in class.
The incident occurred on Monday and was recorded by a classmate. This all happened in the absence of the class teacher. The assailant wearing a brown beanie hat is seen taking a lighter from another student. He then pours something flammable which many think is alcohol on the girl’s head before lighting her hair.
The boy laughs as he sets the girls on fire and he quickly puts out the fire with his hand whilst the rest of the class bursts into laughter. The Western Cape Education Department departmental spokesperson Millicent Merton says they are aware of the incident and the learner has been suspended and awaits disciplinary hearing.
Watch: Bully suspended after lighting girl’s hair on fire
“The school provided counseling and therapeutic support to the victim. The Representative Council of Learners will embark on an u\anti-bullying campaign at the school,” Millicent Merton said.
She also adds that the district is doing a lot in fighting bullying and a lot of anti-bullying campaigns have been launched at district and school levels.
“The district offices also implement various campaigns and strategies to promote anti-bullying. For example, anti-bullying conferences or anti-bullying weeks where there is advocacy and education on cyber-bullying, for example, and practical steps learners can take to protect themselves from falling prey to bullying.”
“We also constantly promote our safe schools hotline which offers counselling support and advice to learners and parents as well as a mechanism for reporting such behavior for further investigation.”
“Parents and learners should first report such abuse to their teachers or school management. It is important that the school management is aware of the allegations so that they can address it as soon as possible.”
“Schools must address bullying, including cyber-bullying, in their school code of conduct. Disciplinary measures against learners who distribute, film or participate in events that put the school into disrepute or constitute abuse, assault or bullying should be addressed,” she adds.
The death of Lufuno has sparked much awareness in the country. Bullying is wrong and has dire consequences that disturb the society.