The government is going to frame ‘Bullying Resistance Counseling Policy” in order to prevent bullying at all educational institutions across the country.
Counseling will be ensured to prevent 'bullying' in educational institutions, officials said. Such decision was taken in the face of widespread maltreatment or abusive culture, especially in educational institutions.
This disrupts normal life of the students concerned. Besides, it has been reported that many victims of bullying have chosen to end their lives as they were unable to bear the vicious cruel acts.
The draft policy proposes provision of temporary or permanent expulsion of the accused teacher or student. It also proposes reviewing the existing law that protects victims from bullying.
Earlier, the High Court stated that 'not only students but teachers also need psychological counseling' after the suicide of Aritri Adhikari, a student of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College (VNSC) in the capital last December.
Therefore, the government considers bullying in schools and colleges a serious crime and so it is pursuing to formulate separate policies to prevent bullying at all educational institutions.
Bullying is categories as harassing people before and after formal lessons in schools or colleges, in the classroom, inside the school or on the premises, or outside the school, physically hurt someone, calling in an abusive manner, behaving abusively and repeatedly harassing.
There are usually three types of bullying - verbal, physical and social - at school.
Oral bullying is the saying or writing of something that is intended for someone, such as pointing to something is bad, such as ridicule, hate speech, using vulgar words orintimidating.
Physical bullying refers to hitting someone, kicking and punching with his hands, pushing, knocking, forcing or breaking someone's belongings, making indecent or unprofessional gestures with his mouth or hand.
The draft policy suggested that, schools should focus more on teaching values towards students. The policy proposes strict punishment for bullying. It expects harsh punishment, should be provided to offenders.
The draft policy states that, in case of bullying, quick action should be taken. However, no student can be physically hurt. Transfer certificate can be offered if needed.
The policy points out that, counseling should be enforced if needed. Parents need to be called in. In order to prevent bullying, you need to set up a close circuit camera in the institution premises, corridors and classrooms. The victim of bullying first must be provided with psychological support. In this regard, teachers and staff members have to play a leading role.
Although bullying is not a criminal offence, the school authorities can get police help if needed. Teachers should be given sufficient capacity to maintain the rules and regulations in a stress-free manner.
Regarding parenting tasks, the child should be encouraged to follow the rules of the school, maintain regular contact with other students or friends. The child has to be brought up with the highest care. They need to be taught values .
In this regard, the Director General of Secondary and Higher Education (Moushi) Professor Dr Syed Ghulam Farooq said, the policy was in the final stages. In the light of the policy, the formed committee will start work on curbing bullying in educational institutions.