A non-profit organisation, the African Principals Conference Initiative, APCI, has called on the government to enact a policy that will curb bullying and other violent activities in the nation’s schools.
This is just as the group is taking its campaign against bullying to schools across the country with the message that schools should be places where kindness, empathy and other good virtues should be shown and entrenched in the lives of learners, teachers, administrators among others.
According to the Convener, Mr Joseph Ayodele, the group held two summits in Abuja and Lagos to draw attention to the menace of violence and bullying in schools.
“The first summit held in Abuja on October 28, this year and was followed by that of Lagos on October 31. It was themed “Bullying and violence in schools impact summit.” It drew participants from all stakeholders in the education sector and some resolutions were arrived at. It was agreed that every school and childcare organization is expected to adopt the following: An effective bullying policy understood and endorsed by all stakeholders, including students, parents, and external witnesses.
“A safeguarding and child protection policy where there should be a designated officer (counselor/social worker) trained as a child protection coordinator to oversee the response to child abuse and neglect.
” A policy review where a pressing need exists to revisit current bullying policies, integrating recent updates in safeguarding children’s rights: Schools may mandate attendance at rehabilitation programmes for students persistently engaging in bullying behaviour. This attendance could range from one weekend to a full academic year, with the goal of returning them reformed.
“Schools should be empowered to compel parental attendance at PTA meetings, with non-compliant parents referred to the Ministry of Youth and Social Development within 72 hours. Public schools should face minimal challenges with this provision, though private schools may encounter operational hurdles.
“The second national tracking study on bullying and student well-being is set for early 2025. The 2023 baseline bullying tracking report is available for download on our website. Our team at the African Principals Conference Initiative will provide support services to interested schools for the development of effective Bullying Policy.
“We also agreed to a National Week of Action against bullying and violence in schools to hold from November 11-15, 2024. This is very crucial and is supported at no cost to the schools by the African Principals Conference Initiative. This programme will empower students to become champions of anti-bullying initiatives,” he explained.
He added that the National Week of Action Against Bullying and Violence in School has as theme, “Everyone Belongs & I Will Tell.”
Ayodele said a special pack that would be taught for one hour in each participating school was developed to raise awareness on how to prevent and respond to bullying and violence.
“It is also to highlight steps taken to create inclusive and safe school communities.
Provide opportunity for schools to share understanding about bullying behaviours, and share their bullying prevention policies and strategies. The national week of action is also to unite government, faith based, community and private schools and send a clear message that bullying and violence are not accepted in our schools,” Ayodele said.
He stated that the group had taken its campaign to many schools including Queens College, Lagos where ABR Students Well-being Ambassadors were inaugurated.
“We have also been to Federal Government College, Port Harcourt, Government Secondary School, Kwali, Abuja among others and the enthusiasm by students, teachers, school administrators and others have been fantastic. We are very encouraged that our message is sinking and the impact is real,” he said.
He said all hands must be on deck to put an end to bullying and violence in schools, noting that the damage they do to learners and the society at large is incalculable.
