The Federal Government in major move to address the pervasive issue of bullying in schools across Nigeria has announced plans to develop a comprehensive national policy on bullying.
This initiative is spearheaded by Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, who revealed these plans during a press briefing held in Abuja on December 11th, 2024. The announcement comes in response to numerous cases of bullying that have gone viral, sparking outrage among parents and citizens nationwide.
Dr. Alausa emphasized the government's zero-tolerance stance towards bullying, stating, "We will not tolerate, accept any bullying in any of our schools and in our society.
What we’re doing now is that we’re formalising a policy that we will take to the highest policy-making organ in the country." This policy aims to provide a structured approach to tackling bullying, ensuring that students can learn in a safe and supportive environment.
The proposed national policy will be presented at the next National Council on Education meeting for adoption. It is designed to strengthen existing school policies by mandating all secondary schools to implement strict anti-bullying measures, enforce disciplinary actions, and establish functional guidance and counseling units.
The policy will also include a nationwide sensitization program aimed at educating students, teachers, and parents about the dangers of bullying and violence, while promoting a culture of kindness and respect.
Currently, there is no federal law in Nigeria that directly addresses bullying. However, in some instances, bullying overlaps with discriminatory harassment based on race, national origin, color, sex, age, disability, or religion, which schools are legally obligated to address. The new policy seeks to fill this legislative gap by providing clear guidelines and consequences for bullying behavior.
The development of this policy is part of broader efforts to improve the nation's educational system. Dr. Alausa highlighted the importance of involving state governments in the implementation process, ensuring a unified approach across the country.
He stated, "We’ve been using several of these laws to come with a national policy that we in the Federal Ministry of Education have been working with the Attorney General’s office to quickly come up with that policy. And we can take this to the National Council of Education for adoption as part of our process to address bullying and discipline in society."
The policy will outline the rights and responsibilities of schools in addressing bullying, detailing the expected behavior from students and the transparent consequences for those found guilty of bullying. It will also require schools to report, document, and investigate bullying incidents within a specific timeframe, taking necessary actions to stop such behavior. Additionally, the policy will encourage offering services like counseling to both victims and perpetrators of bullying.
The urgency of this initiative is signified by the current status of cyberbullying, which has reached pandemic levels. Over 50% of children have been targeted by cyberbullies, with adult online communities also being particularly vulnerable. The policy aims to address both traditional bullying and cyberbullying, recognizing the evolving nature of bullying behaviors in the digital age.
Research indicates that high-quality anti-bullying policies can significantly reduce rates of verbal and physical bullying victimization. However, challenges remain in addressing social, relational, or property-related bullying. The new national policy will incorporate lessons learned from existing state laws and policies, which often include definitions of bullying, characteristics commonly targeted, and detailed requirements for school district policies.
October is recognized as National Bullying Awareness Month, serving as a timely reminder for organizations to foster safe and supportive environments. The Federal Government's initiative aligns with this global effort, aiming to create a safer educational landscape for Nigerian students.
Comments