Education stakeholders in the South-South region of Nigeria are advocating for more effective reporting and documentation of bullying incidents in secondary schools.
Speaking during a survey in Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River, several experts highlighted the growing issue of bullying and the failure to adequately address it. Bassey Akpan, a retired school principal in Uyo, called bullying a “hydra-headed monster” that continues to plague the school system, urging authorities to find effective solutions and enforce strict punishments for perpetrators.
Sunday Akpan, a vice principal in Akwa Ibom, suggested penalties such as suspension or fines for students involved in bullying, while civil rights activist Bassey Emenim stressed the importance of encouraging both reporting and awareness of bullying among students.
Stakeholders also shared personal accounts, like Charles Inyang, who revealed that his 13-year-old son was bullied by senior students at a public secondary school. Other contributors, including Ubokmfon Williams from the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), pointed out that bullying often occurs outside school hours and requires vigilant supervision by staff.
MacFarlane Ejah, a public affairs analyst, emphasized the need for stronger legal frameworks against bullying, questioning whether the implementation of existing laws is equitable.
Grace Etuk, head of the social work department at the University of Calabar, argued that bullying often stems from aggression learned at home, and urged children to resist being bullied by standing up for themselves.
In Rivers, further calls for sensitization to anti-bullying campaigns were made, including seminars on bullying, cultism, and drug abuse in schools. Stakeholders such as Henrietta Ogoh, a guidance expert, and Hilda Desmond, a children’s rights activist, pushed for age-appropriate school placements and better overall discipline within schools.
The consensus among education professionals is clear: bullying in schools is an urgent issue that requires a collective effort to resolve through proper documentation, strict penalties, and preventive education.
