Stakeholders seek urgent action against bullying in schools

Experts have warned against rising menace of bullying among students in primary and post-primary schools, calling for measures to nip it in the bud.

Speaking at a public forum held at the Bishop Howells Grammar School, Bariga, Lagos, stakeholders expressed concern that bullying has become a major crisis, which must be decisively tackled.

The forum, facilitated by Engage Youth Africa Initiative, a pan-African, non-profit, youth-focused organisation, drew participants from different schools, faith-based organisations, and academia.

In his opening remarks, the Founder, Dr Gbolahan Oyelakin, lamented increased cases of bullying in schools and called for concerted efforts to tackle it.

He expressed the organisation’s commitment to tackle the problem, while assuring of collaboration with schools. The event also included a keynote address and a spelling bee competition.

Oyelakin stressed the need to adequately educate students, teachers, parents, and the community at large, about the different forms of bullying, its adverse effects, and the role caregivers and guardians can play to prevent it.

Oyelakin presented copies of the book titled ‘A bully is not a hero,’ written by Nomthi Odukoya to the school principal and some of the students who participated in the competition.

Responding, the school principal, Kayode Akasho, while restating their readiness to work with the organisation, said teachers, parents and the society at large, all have different roles to play in tackling the menace.

In his keynote address, Mr Chigozie Okoli, highlighted the dangers of bullying, noting that it could take the form of physical, verbal, social or relational and cyberbullying.

Fielding questions from journalists, Oyelakin said there was a need to foster a culture of empathy and respect within schools.