NBSE informs on bullying in schools

Kohima, 20 June (MTNews): The Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) has issued a notification to bring attention to the increasing instances of bullying in schools and the detrimental effects it has on students. The board has stressed that every act of ragging or bullying, regardless of its scale, exceeds the boundaries of decency, morality, and humanity.

Recognizing the gravity of the issue, the board highlighted the severe consequences of bullying on both short-term and long-term aspects of a student’s life.

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), bullying significantly impacts children’s mental health, quality of life, and academic achievements.

Children who are frequently bullied are nearly three times more likely to experience a sense of alienation in school and are over twice as likely to miss school compared to those who do not face frequent bullying.

Moreover, they tend to have poorer educational outcomes than their peers and are more inclined to discontinue formal education after completing secondary school.

In light of these concerns, the Nagaland Board of School Education has emphasized the urgent need for schools to have dedicated School Counselors to offer social, emotional, and academic support to students facing challenges that hinder their overall development within the school setting.

To address the issue of bullying and ragging effectively, the heads of institutions have been reminded to establish robust Anti-Bullying and Ragging Committees, as outlined in the General Rules on page 50.

Furthermore, the board urged the schools to adopt a Zero Tolerance policy to curb the menace of bullying and ragging in schools/hostels. Heads of Institutions have been requested to take all possible measures to create a conducive environment for the learners and ensure that no child becomes a victim of bullying/ragging.