‘Schools need outside whistle blowing services’

02 July 2015 - 13:59 By RDM News Wire

Whistle blowing lines normally used by businesses could help tackle “sexual abuse‚ bullying and even drug use at local schools”‚ a company calling itself “SA’s largest independent whistle blowing service provider” has claimed. A press statement from Whistle Blowers quoted a 2012 Unisa survey that “revealed that 55% of school children had been bullied” and a Pondering Panda study “showing that two out of three South African learners are worried about being bullied at school”.It said the latter report had “noted that problems had escalated to the point where outside intervention was needed”.“Whilst schools usually have policies and disciplinary procedures‚ more policies are required‚ such as ethics and whistle blowing policies‚” said Dale Horne‚ Whistle Blowers’ operations director.“I can remember incidents of bullying at school and wouldn’t have dared to report a popular child. If I could have done that anonymously‚ I probably would have.“Pupils need to know that they can speak up about what they know to be wrong – and if they feel they can’t use existing channels or confide in their parents‚ they need to know that there’s an alternative‚ independent and trustworthy avenue.”Horne concluded by saying: “Just as businesses have ethics policies and whistle blowing facilities in place as part of good governance‚ so should schools.” ..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.