In response to the rising incidents of bullying in primary and secondary schools across the country, the Federal Ministry of Education has announced plans to introduce a platform where individuals can anonymously report such cases. This initiative was revealed by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, during a press briefing in Abuja.
Dr. Alausa expressed grave concern over the growing prevalence of bullying, violence, and other harmful behaviors in schools, emphasizing their detrimental effects on students. He highlighted that these issues have led to academic decline, mental health challenges, school dropouts, and a loss of moral values.
Recent incidents, including the tragic case of Sylvester Oromoni, who lost his life after being bullied at a Lagos-based private school, and the suspension of 13 students at Federal Government College, Enugu, for bullying a peer, have underscored the urgency of the matter.
To tackle these problems, the ministry has launched initiatives such as the National Campaign Against School Violence to educate students, teachers, and parents on the dangers of bullying and violence. Dr. Alausa also announced a collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to combat cultism and criminal activities in schools. A dedicated helpline and an online platform will soon be available for students and parents to report bullying and violence anonymously.
The minister urged all stakeholders, including parents, teachers, students, and the media, to contribute to creating a safer and more inclusive learning environment. Parents were encouraged to monitor their children’s behavior and mental well-being, while school authorities were called upon to act decisively against reported cases of bullying. He also appealed to students to reject bullying, violence, and cultism and to report any incidents to trusted adults.
Dr. Alausa further tasked the media with raising awareness about the dangers of bullying and the importance of moral education, emphasizing the collective responsibility of society in ensuring the safety and well-being of students.
