In the realm of education, various parties are advocating for a united front between school administrators and Parent-Teacher Associations to combat the issue of bullying in educational institutions. This call to action comes in response to recent reports of bullying incidents, notably at a school in Enugu.
An ex-president of a local association of private school proprietors stressed the importance of implementing strict measures to tackle bullying. This individual highlighted that bullying is not solely a school issue but a societal one, influenced by factors such as economic hardships and domestic environment.
Parents were encouraged to take a more active role in shaping their children’s behavior and fostering a culture of respect and kindness. Additionally, it was suggested that religious groups and community organizations should promote values of tolerance and empathy to nurture positive character traits in children.
A psychologist underscored the detrimental effects of bullying on victims, affecting their mental, emotional, physical, and academic well-being. Addressing bullying not only benefits the victims but also enhances the overall school environment. The psychologist called for regulatory bodies to develop comprehensive strategies to eradicate bullying in educational settings nationwide.
Criticism was directed at schools for allegedly covering up bullying incidents to maintain enrollment numbers, thereby perpetuating a cycle of misconduct. The Minister of Education condemned bullying as a violation of youngsters’ rights and dignity, taking decisive action to suspend the perpetrators and reinforce safety measures in federal schools.
In response to the distressing incident, the Ministry of Education swiftly implemented enhanced security measures and reviewed safety protocols to ensure a secure learning environment.