Stakeholders Call for Improved Reporting of Bullying in Schools

Education stakeholders in Nigeria’s South-South region have called for enhanced reporting and documentation of bullying in secondary schools. During a survey in Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River, stakeholders expressed concerns about the prevalence of unreported cases of bullying.

Bassey Akpan, a retired principal and former executive officer of the All Nigerian Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) in Akwa Ibom, described bullying as a significant challenge in the education system. He urged school authorities to firmly condemn bullying and enforce appropriate punishments for perpetrators.

Similarly, Sunday Akpan, a vice principal at a technical college, recommended penalties such as suspensions or fines imposed on offenders to deter bullying. Akwa Ibom-based civil rights activist Bassey Emenim emphasised the importance of effective reporting and sensitisation to discourage bullying among schoolchildren.

A parent, Charles Inyang, shared his experience of his 13-year-old son being bullied in a public secondary school, stressing the need for collective action to prevent the physical and emotional harm caused by bullying.

Ubokmfon Williams, chairman of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) in Akwa Ibom, noted that private boarding schools are not exempt from bullying, particularly outside regular school hours. He called for increased staff vigilance to address the issue.

Public affairs analyst and mediator MacFarlane Ejah linked bullying to broader societal issues, highlighting inequalities and insufficient enforcement of anti-bullying laws. Grace Etuk, head of the social works department at the University of Calabar, associated bullying with aggression often originating from home and encouraged children to resist intimidation.

Private school operator Godwin Okwu suggested assigning teachers as “house parents” in dormitories to ensure better supervision and discipline. In Rivers, stakeholders stressed the need for moral education and collaborations with security agencies to address bullying effectively.

Henrietta Ogoh, a guidance and counselling expert, identified gang activities and drug abuse as contributors to worsening bullying in schools. She recommended regular seminars to address these issues.

Lawyer and activist Hilda Desmond highlighted the importance of age-appropriate enrolment, noting that sending very young children to secondary schools increases their vulnerability to bullying.

Education consultant Isijana Adasi concluded that a stronger commitment from school operators is necessary to combat bullying and ensure proper reporting and interventions. He described bullying as “dangerous and unacceptable,” underscoring the need for collective efforts to tackle it effectively.