Bullying and positive discipline facilitator

In order to address the issue of bullying, it is important to clearly understand how bullying is defined. The Department of Basic Education ([DBE], Republic of South Africa, 2015]) published the National Safe Schools Framework to help schools understand, identify, and respond to security threats as well as to assist schools in tracking progress in addressing bullying. This was done in an effort to ensure that students can learn in a secure environment. To effectively target resources and provide interventions to minimize bullying incidents, policy makers and implementers must have a thorough understanding of the scope and nature of bullying in South African schools. Discipline challenges in schools constitute a major threat to quality education in South Africa. These challenges include disrespect, absenteeism, late coming, neglect of schoolwork, stealing, fighting, drug trafficking, bullying and initiation practices. Education policy in South Africa emphasizes the importance of creating safe schools that encourage respect for human rights. The National Education Policy Act requires schools and school authorities to create an enabling education system that supports the full personal development of each learner, and contributes to the moral, social, cultural, political, and economic development of the nation at large.