Bullying
By Joan Odafe and Nojibat Adebayo
Lagos, June 9, 2024 (NAN) Some educationists have called on parents, guardians to help stop the rising trend of bullying in the society, particularly in public and private schools.
The educationists made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.
They noted that many times, children expressed and exhibited what they had learnt from home in the larger society.
They said that children did not learn the act of bullying in their schools, rather a product of negative behaviour they had already been exposed to at home.
A Guardian and Counsellor, Mrs Edith Nnalule, said many parents and guardians bullied their children and wards without even realising the damages being caused to both the child and the society.
The counsellor said most times, children grew up knowing parents with what they did, saying that if a child was bullied at home, he would go back to the society to practice such act.
“Most of these children that engaged in bullying in schools or those who bullied in the workplaces didn’t learn the behaviour there.
“Some of them, because they are not well guided, you know, they grow with it.
“When they enter the upper class or workplaces, they begin to bully and see it as a normal thing,” she said.
Nnalue said those that engaged in the act of bullying sometime regarded their actions as instilling authority while those who lacked self-confidence saw it as protecting their self-esteem.
She urged parents and guardians to promptly recognise the signs of bullying so that the children could be properly checked and consequently reduce its spilling into the society.
Mr Johnson Ologundudu, President, National Association of Proprietors of Public Schools (NAPPS), Amuwo Odofin Chapter, said past experience had shown educators that the act of bullying was learned by engagers from home.
Reacting to viral videos and reports of various forms of bullying at schools, Ologundudu said the major cause was a spillover from the society.
“These children are from different homes with different backgrounds and orientation,” he said.
He said the ‘Lagos State Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy’ (LSSCPP) served as a guide for schools in setting up structures to tackle the menace of bullying.
Ologundudu, who is also the Proprietor of Jomal Schools, urged sister institutions to domesticate the LSSCPP and set up structures to help reduce the menace of bullying.
He further urged various institutions within the society, including families, schools and religious organisations to work together to reduce bullying in schools. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
JOJO/ISHO/AJA
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Edited by Yinusa Ishola/Adeleye Ajayi
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