Harassment/ bullying persists in one form or the other across the globe. Some Students face bullying physically or mentally frequently. Recently I dealt one such incident. I am class teacher for Grade 9 and its been less than a month that new academic year has started. A male student, out of nowhere, said he wanted to say something as we were practicing grammar, I asked him to say so, than he shared all his frustration, anger and disappointment in that moment and complained that he had been facing bullying since his admission in Grade 6 (over 3 years now in this school). I never have had any subject in his class before this, So this was my first detailed interaction. The boy said he continuously faced social, verbal as well gesture abuse by most students including girls and he spoke for about 7-9 minutes uninterrupted detailing most things. I must admit that for a moment, I was surprised and shocked since I had not heard an issue of this magnitude and time before, yet unnoticed and not reported by any other teacher. Though, We have heard situational bullying or harrasment cases and have dealt them accordingly. Regrettably, some in the class were still laughing, making fun of him for speaking as such, to the extent, that I had to step in and take control of the class. I request you to share from your valuable experience the answers and strategies to deal with such issues of bullying/ harrasment in general. How would you deal with such issues and can we prevent this all together from happening? How? Share your answers
My answer/strategy is in given the comment post.

Let us start with the this notion, physical and mental aspects are determine Educational success of students. Classrooms settings have to be designed in an engaging and appealing way to attract students attention. Introducing physical activities has health benefits while knowing & addressing mental issues/dilemmas fosters positivity to the classroom ( fellows and teachers). Let us learn to discuss students concern beyond the classroom. An attentive and available mind is open to learning and growth. Those struggling with such issues tend to perform lower and be mentally absent from the classroom despite physically being present.

@Ana_moderator Hi this is Gulzar Ali form Pakistan , I am Public School teacher since 2020. I have been in teaching for almost a decade. The best part about teaching is the Realization (knowing) that we can help students in multiple ways with their struggles and journey. This is important to me because I realize having these troubles myself and fellows in student life. It feels special to help kids overcome these challenges and makes me extremely happy that our role and place matters to kids and the society. Every smile of the child as a result of this is share joy. I have couple of hobbies, one is reading books specially science and history, second I enjoy research development specifically in the area of governance and policy making. I wish to make meaningful contributions via academic as well as research in future.

@Mariya-Rajpar I strongly agree to this idea of printed book reading. Reading books can nurture new ideas in teachers not just kids. I think teachers need to take responsibility first. if teachers practice doing it students will follow them. Kids imitate teachers nowadays. Besides the diversity of opinion and ideas that books can give to readers. While reading printed books is healthy and relaxing experience, reading books on mobile or PC can lead to various health concerns.

@SALMAN I am not moderator or insider but speak from personal experience. Usually posts are approved within 24 hours time, occasionally the time may extend to 2 or 3 working days. In my own experience no post has taken beyond 3 days

@Ahlam-HAMRI First step is to develop their interest in reading. So suggesting books that allign with the interests of students. Children's have different choices. Asking kids to read a book in the area of their interest and than share the same book or learning in the classroom by reading the same book. This way they will have incentive to read and share their learning with fellows. Teacher can frequently read part of book or different books in class as part of this drill. Once they develop reading habit than they can diversify as they explore new learning domains. So introducing kids to books is first stage in whatever field they consider suitable and easy. Eventually, kids will become extensive readers. Habits can not be developed overnight. It requires interest and continuity over a long period of time.

@Hira-Tayyaba it is very good question. Reflecting back on role model and their influence. Our classrooms represent diverse audience whose interests spread across all fields of life from arts, science, anthropology, religion, local heroes. I guess providing open platforms for students to choose their ideals and depict them in their own way will be better reflection. Besides, teachers must encourage curiosity and openness and should not dictate their own choices or affiliations in this case including gender roles and biases.

I will share my experience as I dealt it. Feel free to comment critically.
Now as I have already mentioned I was shocked with such serious allegations from a boy who likes to keep a low profile but always looks smiling. After he finished his point, I told everyone in the class that I would need to know their response to his claims and allegations in the class after his view. Since I wanted to solve this matter once and for all, I stressed that as most of you have been accused, it is your responsibility to answer honestly and openly about your role, if any, in this and reason for it. While the boy did not name anyone. I asked him to tell me the names in private right away so that he does not get offended by anyone not to disclose later. Afterwards, I told students that I have the names of almost half the class so you must prepare answers carefully and honestly. But some observations that I noticed in that situation are worth mentioning. Awareness about bullying is essential. As I figured out that some of the students still had not realized that they were abusing or harrasing. To them it was just a laughter or making a fun and had no consequences. So they had to be told that having fun and making fun of someone are entirely different. Besides, continuously doing this act to someone or few can have serious repercussions for all if someone would retaliate in anger/ frustration at some point. So, bullying and it's dealing mechanism need to be and must be part of curriculum and practice in educational environment.
Some of the students openly confessed to their role and sought unconditional apology in the classroom, While some did it in private and apologized. Most of them committed not to indulge in such acts in future. I reiterate awareness regarding bullying/harassment is key along with its consequences. It felt good that some students admitted their mistakes and were open to making improvements. So sensitivity among teachers as well as students becomes a prerequisite if we have to overcome bullying in classroom. Finally making responsible and smart decisions and not targeting individuals can also help. We must not stigmatize individuals doing such acts as it may affect their personality adversely. However, communicating with the alleged and making them responsible for their acts (privately or publicly, if they agree to it ) can help others to restrain from such acts in future.

@RUBAB-khaskheli Assuming ICT and AI tools apart, all other methods of teaching or learning, lecture, group discussion, brainstorming, hands on activities, presentation and unlimited other tools that we treat under traditional methods have been effective and efficient over the centuries. Not underestimating ICt or AI tools, education has been taught for centuries and has consistently produced magnificent results all across the globe. We should treat these methods as such. Innovations are bound to happen and improve in all areas. The basic idea is to convey the message and achieve results.

@MUZAF85babefc9c Government sector schools in our regions are almost always overcrowded. Despite having different sections , schools face shortage of rooms so mostly schools remain overcrowded. Managing overcrowded class in not easy. But pairing up the students, division of work, prior communication of schedule about study have helped ease the job a bit. But there is no easy fix. This is why STR student teacher ratio policy exists to facilitate managing the large classes. The younger the kids, the more difficult it is to pay attention to all

@Shaista-Begum I agree to your opinion about information overload and shor span of attention. Can be and need to be managed. however curiosity and creativity have no connection with respect and discipline. Demands from the students have changed overtime so have the qualities keeping in view the demand.

@MUZAF85babefc9c Government sector schools in our regions are almost always overcrowded. Despite having different sections , schools face shortage of rooms so mostly schools remain overcrowded. Managing overcrowded class in not easy. But pairing up the students, division of work, prior communication of schedule about study have helped ease the job a bit. But there is no easy fix. This is why STR student teacher ratio policy exists to facilitate managing the large classes. The younger the kids, the more difficult it is to pay attention to all

@MehranKhan the power of smile can change the world. Kids can't lie. I am trying to recall. There are quite a few instances when I have shared the laugh or have been the reason they laugh or feel happy. It's an emotion unexplainable. One of my students imitated my style in farewell party. A funny poetry composed for me by 3 students stands out as memorable experience. You have said it well. Books are just one aspect, dealing and behaviour of teacher forms the essence of open interaction and everlasting communication.

@FarhanMehboob wonderfully put. Safe , smart and clean.

@IMRAN-KHASKHELI almost all the Learning by doing methods,it could be projects, practicals, demonstrations, hands on activities and all other activity based methods we can think of. Students Learn science by experiencing it not just reading. Science is meant to be experienced not learnt or memorized

@SALMAN I am not moderator or insider but speak from personal experience. Usually posts are approved within 24 hours time, occasionally the time may extend to 2 or 3 working days. In my own experience no post has taken beyond 3 days

@Saba-Baig agree. Public schools should exist and compete with private sector schools on same grounds,(infrastructure and facilities). People should have the choice to choose between the two in today's free choice society. But Govt must ensure educational quality and standards being achieved and maintained similar to that of private schools.

I will share my experience as I dealt it. Feel free to comment critically.
Now as I have already mentioned I was shocked with such serious allegations from a boy who likes to keep a low profile but always looks smiling. After he finished his point, I told everyone in the class that I would need to know their response to his claims and allegations in the class after his view. Since I wanted to solve this matter once and for all, I stressed that as most of you have been accused, it is your responsibility to answer honestly and openly about your role, if any, in this and reason for it. While the boy did not name anyone. I asked him to tell me the names in private right away so that he does not get offended by anyone not to disclose later. Afterwards, I told students that I have the names of almost half the class so you must prepare answers carefully and honestly. But some observations that I noticed in that situation are worth mentioning. Awareness about bullying is essential. As I figured out that some of the students still had not realized that they were abusing or harrasing. To them it was just a laughter or making a fun and had no consequences. So they had to be told that having fun and making fun of someone are entirely different. Besides, continuously doing this act to someone or few can have serious repercussions for all if someone would retaliate in anger/ frustration at some point. So, bullying and it's dealing mechanism need to be and must be part of curriculum and practice in educational environment.
Some of the students openly confessed to their role and sought unconditional apology in the classroom, While some did it in private and apologized. Most of them committed not to indulge in such acts in future. I reiterate awareness regarding bullying/harassment is key along with its consequences. It felt good that some students admitted their mistakes and were open to making improvements. So sensitivity among teachers as well as students becomes a prerequisite if we have to overcome bullying in classroom. Finally making responsible and smart decisions and not targeting individuals can also help. We must not stigmatize individuals doing such acts as it may affect their personality adversely. However, communicating with the alleged and making them responsible for their acts (privately or publicly, if they agree to it ) can help others to restrain from such acts in future.

@TANIA2a4b8fae35 well said. Language is an important tool. I want to quote a non native students got admission in our school. She does her homework and fair work timely in a good manner. But she faces great difficulty in understanding lectures or teachers. We offer her individual help all the time with language. She even hesitates communicating with fellow students in language of theirs. We are trying various strategies to work out the best results. Same applies to some teachers whose language is not native. They face difficulty conveying the message clearly all the time

@Mariya feedback is pivotal to overall learning and development of students. I usually practice verbal and written feedback to students individually and as a team. Most students work on the recommendations and advise. Besides, positive feedback serves great encouragement to students. Open appreciation in front of the class also generates better results. While I generally share negative feedback individually so as to let him work on errors and not feel laid down in class or with fellows