Are Schools Doing Enough to Curb Bullying?

In the recently held inter-school skit competition named HOPE-SKIT, yet another of HOPE Initiate's innovative ways of creating awareness on health issues,  more than half of the 46 participating schools focused on  bullying as their central theme, finally pulling it out from under the carpet and placing it on  centre stage as a major health menace.

A chief hurdle in controlling bullying in schools, as illustrated by students of Lucknow Public School, Janakipuram,, is the victim’s diffidence and lack of courage to complain. 

But are the victims really to blame? Victims of bullying are usually the most timid and innocent of the lot, and it requires sensitivity to understand why they prefer to suffer silently rather than raise their voice in protest. The harsh truth is that they feel uncertain about the sincerity and ability of their teachers and parents to protect them from the retaliation from their tormentors.

At the core of the issue, therefore, is the question “ How far are we prepared to go to protect a child who has dared to complain against a bully?”. Also, we need to remember that there are 20 others watching from the wings the fate of the first whistle-blower to decide what they should do.

Parents should be suspicious of schools that deny outright of bullying as a problem in their premises. Knowledge of the spectrum of human behavior tells us that in our age of increasing aggression, violence and frustration, it is too good to be true.

What should in fact inspire confidence is if the school management has an Anti-bullying policy in place. This should first ensure complete confidentiality and protection of the victim who has dared to complain.

The next step is to have a child counsellor or psychologist to evaluate the bully, understand the cause for his aggressive behavior, counsel him, and discuss the problem with his parents to find a lasting change. 

Counselling is not always an easy job. Parents of bullies are often aggressive themselves, as hostile behavior often runs in genes, and tend to defend their kids.

Merely rebuking or punishing the bully can be counter-productive; it often shifts the scene of violence from inside the school premises to outside, making it even more hazardous.

Bullies are not strong healthy people that they portray themselves to be. They are weak within, with desperate need to cover their sense of “inferiority” with a strong exterior cover. They have often being victims of bullying themselves, either at school, or at home by frightful dominating parents.

It is time that the administration of all schools and colleges took cognizance of this malady and evolved steps to address and tackle it effectively. With the efforts of HOPE (Health Oriented Programs and Education) Initiative, the march against bullying has finally begun.

As published in HT City ( Hindustan Times) dated 16 December, 2012.