Free State Education to intensify ‘No racism, no bullying’ campaign

Free State MEC for education Tate Makgoe, says the province has zero tolerance for racism and bullying eventuating in various schools in the province.

Makgoe adds that, racism has no place in the society, and it must be uprooted in its totality. He said, the department has put forward an alarming campaign “No Racism, Bullying, and Anti-Social behaviour campaign in schools”, to condemn all forms of delinquency.

On Monday, Makgoe will be joined by basic education deputy minister Dr. Makgabo Mhaule to launch the Motheo District vigorous No Racism, Bullying, and Anti-Social behaviour campaign.

The campaign was launched in March 15 at Welkom, following incidents reported of alleged racism, assault and bullying in schools located in Lejweleputswa district namely: Wessels Maree Secondary, Dagbreek Primary School and
Bothaville Hoer Skool.

These incidents involved around learner on learner violence which resulted in instances of assassinating one another.

“Together with our stakeholders which include school management teams, school governing bodies, police services, Department of social development and department of health, we want to use this campaign to eradicate the scourge of subliminal and blatant racism, sexism, vandalism, assault, corporal punishment, sexual harassment, alcohol and drug abuse as these anti-social behaviours disrupt learning and teaching in our schools,” said Makgoe.

Other stakeholder set to join the campaign to be launched in Bloemfontein’s HTS Louis Botha School will be strategic stakeholders such as Human Rights Commission, school governing bodies and teacher unions.

“The department will also use this campaign to implore learners to come to school everyday and not drop out from schools. Principals, deputy principals of all the Motheo District former model C schools will also attend the launch,” added Makgoe.