Bullying in educational establishments

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Despite the existence of anti-bullying strategies and procedures, bullying in my school, as well as in the whole country, is increasing every year. The cause of this is partially the bad situation in the country, where violence is generated daily in public life but also general alienation of people, their lack of empathy due to social networks and online communication, which is the world trend. It is very hard to fight this problem locally, especially when higher instances are not doing their job.
To tackle this problem, this school year a colleague from a neighboring school and I organized a joint project with our students. The project was done according to Design for Change methodology. The students concluded that the biggest problem of their school community was mental and verbal bullying. After a lot of workshops on the topic, public opinion polls, analysis and filtering of ideas, we created a motivational obstacle course called CHOOSE THE RIGHT PATH. The course consists of a dozen fun physical obstacles combined with problem situations (moral issues) that the participants solve while crossing the stages of the course. The topics of moral issues refer to verbal and mental violence that children encounter in everyday school life, and for each situation they are offered answers. The goal of the course is not competition, but overcoming physical and metaphorical obstacles and learning along the way, choosing the right path in life and treating other people with respect.
The course has already been held twice and the project has become a part of the official school documents of both schools which means it's meant to be long-term. This is our "modest" and creative way to deal with bullying in our educational establishment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrR2QmJJssw
This link takes you to the summary of our creative process and the phases we went through while building our obstacle course that we're proud of.

@EMINA043e019d70 This is truly inspiring! Your CHOOSE THE RIGHT PATH project is a brilliant example of how to combat bullying creatively and proactively. The obstacle course is a fantastic way to bring important moral lessons to life, making learning both engaging and impactful. Good luck with your project, and may it reach and help as many people as possible!

@Ana_moderator It is an important topic because situations make bullied students unable to follow or to pay proper attention to their study. Such students may also miss opportunities to participate with their colleagues or even enjoy school activities. Bullied students ussually lose concentration when they are attending their classes. education. topic,

This burning issue of ending violence against children having been discussed worldwide, particularly the states on their commitments at national, global level are in search of effective preventive measures with further implementation, funding and scaling sustained actions to fully minimize violence @home, @school, online and in local/global communities.

@Bousl2336873cb4 Absolutely! Addressing bullying effectively involves a comprehensive strategy that encompasses prevention, intervention, and support. Prevention efforts include promoting empathy, respect, and positive behavior among students, while intervention involves promptly addressing incidents and providing appropriate consequences. Support is crucial for both the victims and the perpetrators to understand and change their behavior. It indeed requires commitment from educators, parents, and students to foster a safe and inclusive environment in schools.

@BRYANb8875625e5 It's great to hear that anti-bullying laws in Puerto Rico include school councils with parent representation. Involving parents is crucial as they play a significant role in addressing and preventing bullying behaviors among students. Cyberbullying, especially in today's digital age, poses a serious challenge, but having comprehensive laws can indeed help address this issue effectively.

@Ana_moderator It will be great if these materials translated.Cyberbullying, especially in today's digital age, poses a serious challenge, but having comprehensive laws can indeed help address this issue effectively.

@Housna Actually ,By integrating these strategies into the teaching and learning process, schools can create a culture that values respect, empathy, and inclusivity, ultimately mitigating bullying acts and promoting a positive school climate.

@Samar-Mohamed

Hi @Samar-Mohamed
Hope everything is going well for you.

This is very important for all of us. Hope every educational system could make this a priority.

Hugs from Puerto Rico,
Mr. Bryan

@Samar-Mohamed
Hello Samar,
The administrator can encourage teachers to organise role play on the theme of values and diversity and provide incentives to students. This activity organised at school level, will encourage student's participation. They will be engaged in activities and ultimately result in less bullying behaviours.

@Bousl2336873cb4
Bullying in educational institutions has became common worldwide. South Korea is at top of the list where mostly class teachers and staff of the institutions take these cases lightly which results in hundreds of thousands of students committing suicide. Bullying can be prevented by various sources and practices. Specially class teachers should investigate these cases themselves and approach higher ups if needed. We all are teachers and it is our responsibility to keep our students safe from any kind of bullying specially from classmates.

@NaseemShaheen94
Hello,

Bullying has become a world-wide issue which needs urgent intervention. As you mentioned in Korea it is an alarming issue, I firmly believe that higher authorities should take immediate actions so as to prevent bullying in schools. Various strategies can be embedded in school systems and processes to hamper bullying. It is the prime duty of any Minsitry to take corrective measures to prevent bullying.

Stopping and addressing bullying in schools requires a comprehensive approach that involves students, teachers, parents, and the community. Here are some strategies and steps that can be taken:

1. Establish Clear Policies and Rules
   Develop Anti-Bullying Policies: Schools should have clear, well-publicized anti-bullying policies that outline what constitutes bullying and the consequences of such behavior.
   Set Up Reporting Systems: Create confidential ways for students to report bullying, whether through a trusted teacher, counselor, or an anonymous reporting system.
2. Education and Awareness
   Anti-Bullying Programs: Implement educational programs that teach students about the effects of bullying and the importance of respect and kindness.
   Workshops and Training: Provide regular training for teachers and staff on how to recognize, prevent, and respond to bullying.
3. Promote a Positive School Culture
   Encourage Inclusivity: Foster an environment where diversity is celebrated, and inclusivity is promoted. This can help prevent bullying by reducing social hierarchies and divisions.
   Peer Support Programs: Establish peer mentoring and buddy systems where older students can support younger ones and promote positive behavior.
4. Empower Bystanders
   Educate Students: Teach students how to safely intervene when they witness bullying and encourage them to support their peers.
   Bystander Intervention Programs: Implement programs that train students to be proactive bystanders who can help stop bullying when they see it.
5. Provide Support for Victims
   Counseling Services: Offer counseling and support services for students who have been bullied to help them cope with the emotional and psychological effects.
   Safe Spaces: Create safe spaces within the school where students can go if they feel threatened or need a break.
6. Involve Parents and the Community
   Parent Education: Educate parents about the signs of bullying and how they can support their children if they are being bullied or if they are bullying others.
   Community Programs: Work with community organizations to provide additional resources and support for bullying prevention.
7. Consistent Monitoring and Evaluation
   Regular Surveys and Assessments: Conduct regular surveys and assessments to gauge the extent of bullying and the effectiveness of anti-bullying measures.
   Adjust Strategies as Needed: Use the data collected to adjust and improve anti-bullying strategies and programs continually.
   Sample Actions to Take:
   For Teachers and Staff:

Be vigilant and proactive in identifying signs of bullying.
Intervene immediately when bullying is observed.
Document incidents of bullying and report them according to school policy.
Foster a supportive classroom environment where students feel safe and respected.