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.”