“I have recurring nightmares about how those boys dipped my head in the dirty toilet bowl.”
These were the chilling words of a 14-year-old boy who was bullied by four learners at Leiden High School in Delft.
The experience has resulted in the teen dropping out of school.
It was the Grade 8 learner’s second day at school when the incident happened inside a cubicle in a boy’s toilet on January 31.
The boy’s mom said she was alerted and when she got to the staff room, the teen was standing inside a bin, and crying.
She said teachers failed to help him, and she suspects it was because he is black.
The 14-year-old explained what happened to him.
“I was in IsiXhosa classroom, when I asked my teacher to go to the toilet. I got inside and when I was peeing, I heard someone running inside. There were four boys, they came to the cubicle and they grabbed my head and tried to push me into the toilet. When I tried to balance, another boy kicked me and I ended up inside the pot with my head.
“One of the boys put his hand in a plastic bag before scooping poo and then smeared it on my face and uniform.”
The learner said when he got out the boys had already run out of the toilet.
“I had the faeces covering my eyes and I couldn’t see them.
“I couldn’t do anything. I left the toilet and everyone was looking at me, some of the learners were laughing at me, taking pictures and videos. I went to my class teacher who said we should go to the staff room.”
The boy said he was embarrassed and frightened.
“I was scared and angry, I didn’t know what to do.”
The victim explained he can’t sleep anymore because of the trauma.
“Every night I dream of a replay of that day. It was only my second day at school.”
“I feel bad about not going to school because the exams are coming.. The kids who go to school with me, laugh when they see me walking in the streets. I don’t want to go back to school because I will be a laughing stock. This will never end.
“I’d rather stay at home than go to that school. I can go to any other school but this one.”
The boy’s mom said she wants accountability from the school and the alleged bullies.
“When I arrived at the school my son was standing there, the teachers didn’t even provide a cloth to clean himself, he was still dirty.
“I believe my child wasn’t assisted because of the colour of his skin.
“He was crying, he was severely traumatised. I felt embarrassed and felt like I failed my son.
“I will not keep him in that school. The principal didn’t apologise or even say how he would deal with this. They said they found one child and that they would have a meeting with the parents. I want the boys to be found and pay for what they did. My son is not feeling safe anymore.”
Western Cape Education Department (WCED) spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said on Monday the district officials visited the school to make enquiries and to provide support.
“It is alleged that a Grade 8 learner was ambushed and assaulted by a group of learners in a toilet cubicle. In terms of policy, an investigation by the SGB is currently underway. The School Governing Body will convene to determine the disciplinary process going forward.
“The alleged perpetrators were absent from school on Monday but will face disciplinary action. The victim’s mother has been contacted and psychological support has been arranged to counsel the victim. We have also obtained consent for a transfer to another school and are assisting with this process.
“These allegations are serious and concerning. No learner should be subjected to such abuse.”
Hammond said they will continue to monitor the process going forward and provide the relevant support to the victim.
“This incident is a reminder to all parents to have continuous engagements with their children on values and positive behaviour.”
Cape Times