Maximizing anti-bullying mechanism in schools through the school heads and teachers

cyberbullyingRecently the issues on bullying are rising in the midst of institutionalized anti bullying and child protection campaign in schools.

In reality, bullying may start from simple teasing which is often part of growing up. Every child experiences being teased whether at home or in school. Adults need to be cautious in every word uttered for it may inflect negative results to the person spoken. We have to realize that words could cause pain that would become baggage as the grow old.

Sometimes simple teasing begins just to make the group lively. Then it is done repeatedly. Bullying happens when it is repetitive or when there is a conscious intent to hurt another individual. It can be verbal bullying (making threats/ name-calling), psychological bullying (excluding children/ spreading rumors), or physical bullying (hitting/ pushing/ taking a child’s possessions). To prevent these incidents in schools, school administrators, teachers and other personnel should make a one on one combat around the campus for these to be minimized if not be eradicated.

To implement our mandate that as specified in our mission that is to make our school safe and motivating environment, we need to be aware of everything that is happening around the campus and be proactive in making solutions even in small incidents. We have to note that bullying behavior is prevalent around the world and it even cuts across socio-economic, racial/ethnic, and cultural lines. Many educators and scientific researchers estimated that 20 to 30 percent of school-age children are involved in bullying incidents, as either perpetrators or victims. Bullying can begin as early as preschool and could intensify during transitional key stages (K-Grade 3, Grades 4-6, Grade 7-10, Grades 11-12). 

Victims of bullying are often shy and tend to be physically weaker than their peers. They may also have low self-esteem and poor social skills, which makes it hard for them to take a stand or defend themselves. Bullies consider these children easy targets because they usually do not retaliate. If these symptoms are prevalent in a child, the teacher should make precautionary measures on the situation by employing personal counseling to come up with early interventions. Teacher should identify ahead of time the root cause and give intervention that would create a wholesome environment among the school learners.

By VICENTE G. SANMIGUEL, LPT
     Education Program Specialists II-HRD
     Division of Malaybalay City