Shocking rise: Over 11,000 bullying incidents reported in South African schools

Newly compiled data from Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) has revealed that 11,194 incidents of bullying have been reported in public ordinary schools in 12 months. 

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube provided this information in response to a parliamentary inquiry by the EFF’s Lencel Komane.

Komane had asked about two key areas: the number of reported incidents of bullying and abuse by learners against other learners in the past 12 months, and the steps the department is taking to help schools address the issue of bullying.

Gwarube said the management, collection, and verification of bullying incident data fall under PEDs’ responsibilities.

“According to the provincial reports submitted to the Department of Basic Education (DBE), a total of 11,194 incidents of bullying were reported by PEDs between October 2024 and September 2025 in public ordinary schools,” Gwarube said. 

“The DBE fulfils a national policy, monitoring, and supporting role. It receives aggregated data from provinces to identify trends, strengthen national policy, and guide coordinated responses through the National School Safety Framework (NSSF), the DBE-SAPS (SA Police Service) Implementation Protocol, and other interdepartmental mechanisms.” 

Gwarube stated that the department has implemented comprehensive and collaborative programmes and strategies with provinces, districts, and schools to address bullying and promote safe, supportive school environments.

These are: 

• The NSSF serves as the guiding policy for preventing and managing school violence, including bullying. It empowers schools to identify risks, form Safety Committees (teachers, School Governing Body (SGB), police), and develop incident reporting systems. The DBE, PEDs, and districts continuously provide training on the NSSF. The DBE and Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute also launched an SACE-accredited digital NSSF course, allowing teachers to earn 15 Professional Development Points (PDPs).
• Prevention and Management of Bullying in Schools Manual: The DBE developed the Addressing Bullying in Schools Manual to guide schools in identifying, preventing, and responding to bullying. An updated version, strengthened through stakeholder consultations, was being finalised (scheduled for November 12, 2025).

• Under the South African Schools Act, all public schools are required to adopt Codes of Conduct for Learners, developed by SGBs after consultation with learners, parents, and teachers. These codes outline acceptable behaviour, disciplinary procedures, and sanctions. They must align with the Constitution, the South African Schools Act, and provincial law.
• The revised DBE-SAPS Implementation Protocol coordinates joint school safety interventions. These include linking each public school with a local police station, conducting crime awareness campaigns, and executing search-and-seizure operations. Schools also collaborate with social workers and Community Police Forums to manage violent incidents.

• Inter-Departmental Campaign on the Prevention of Violence, Bullying, Corporal Punishment, GBV, Learner Pregnancy, Drugs and Substance Abuse: Led by Basic Education Deputy Minister Dr Reginah Mhaule and various government departments, the campaign targets high-risk districts to raise awareness and build community accountability. The seventh edition in Mangaung Metro District engaged over 1,000 participants through events focused on bullying, online safety, and substance abuse.
• School-Based Bullying Awareness Sessions: In collaboration with PEDs and civil-society partners, districts conduct regular anti-bullying dialogues, assemblies, and debates. The DBE monitors these activities through the District Monitoring of School Safety Programmes annually.

• The Life Skills and Life Orientation Curriculum is a crucial preventative mechanism, integrating content on bullying, gender-based violence (GBV), drug abuse, and early pregnancy. This fosters core values like respect, empathy, and responsible citizenship.
• Online Safety Integrated Programme for Schools: The DBE and partners (UNICEF, UNESCO, Google SA, the Film and Publication Board, the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, and others) implement the programme to combat cyberbullying, sexual grooming, and other online harms. To date, six provinces (North West, Northern Cape, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State, and Limpopo) have received training, reaching over 1,000 learners between July and September 2025 through awareness sessions in 11 districts.

• Psychosocial Support and Referral Systems: Learners affected by bullying (victims or perpetrators) are referred for counselling and follow-up care via Learner Support Agents, social workers, or psychologists through School-Based Support Teams (SBSTs). SBSTs ensure early identification and professional referral. The department acknowledges that bullying reflects wider social issues (violence, poverty, digital exposure). Addressing it demands a collective effort and shared responsibility from all stakeholders: parents, caregivers, teachers, and partners.

Gwarube said the DBE strengthens the NSSF, the DBE-SAPS Implementation Protocol, and the Psychosocial Support Programme to ensure every learner is protected, supported, and able to learn in a safe, inclusive, and dignified environment.

thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za