Bullying has become a serious issue in schools today. It is so rampant nowadays among students from basic to the tertiary education levels.
Bullying comes in different forms, including violence; verbal abuse, social exclusion, among others. Meanwhile, there is what you call cyberbullying.
Bullying, if not discovered or addressed on time can greatly affect the well-being and academic performance of any student who has fallen victim to it.
In order to create a safe and inclusive environment for all students, it is important to implement effective strategies to eradicate bullying.
Schools can work towards eliminating bullying behaviours among students through prevention, intervention, and proper education, as well as cultivating a culture of respect and kindness.
By way of prevention, schools can proactively address bullying by implementing programmes such as peer mentoring programmes and social-emotional learning initiatives that promote positive behaviours, such as love, honour, respect, humility, temperance, giving, self-control, discipline, just to mention a few.
By teaching students about communication skills, and conflict resolution, schools can empower students to build positive relationships and prevent bullying before it occurs.
Aside from all these, schools should have clear policies and procedures in place for reporting and responding to bullying behaviour among their students.
This includes providing students with multiple reporting options, such as anonymous reporting systems, trusted adult figures, and peer support groups.
For instance, some group of students came together to combat bullying at Adeleke University, Ede, where I am currently a student. Even though my school already has a way of disciplining any students who engage in bullying, the group organised awareness campaigns, peer support groups among members of the group, and even created an anonymous reporting system to help students speak up about bullying incidents.
This collective effort made a significant impact in the school; it led to a more inclusive and respectful school environment. It was inspiring to see how students can make a big difference when they stand together against bullying.
As such, education is a powerful tool in eradicating bullying. I hereby recommend that the government should inculcate anti-bullying as a subject into the school curriculum.
They can raise awareness about the harmful effects of bullying and empower the students to become proactive against bullying behaviour.
Truly, schools can create a safe and supportive environment where every student feels respected and valued.
- Tinuade Agbolade, Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State.
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