Publication

It has always been an informal rule in most schools especially the secondary and tertiary institutions in the world, that weaker students are predisposed to being bullied.

This is seen in the daily lives of junior and senior secondary schools students, where they run errands for their senior counterparts. Hence, when a junior rebuffs their request, all hell may be let loose whether within the school premises or outside the school premises. Bullying remains an epidemic, with many children suffering in silence despite its prevalence in the schools.

Recently, a video of Namtira Bwala, a student at Lead British International School in Abuja, who was bullied by her fellow classmate had gone viral on all social media platforms. The video was shared by a X user seeking justice for the victim. In one of the videos, the victim was seen been slapped repeatedly by another female student while asking “who broke my heart?”, an X user went further to post a screenshots where it was alleged that the school has a bullying problem. The untitled screenshot also alleged that another student of the school cut her classmate with a knife but was only given a two day suspension, according to PUNCH.

Nigeria has several laws and regulations that addresses bullying, such as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) which by virtue of Section 34(1) guarantees the right to dignity, including the right to freedom from torture and inhuman and degrading treatment. Nigeria has other laws such as the Child’s Right’s Act (2003), Violent and Other Related Offences Act (2015), National Education Policy (2004). Though these laws exist to protect children from physical, emotional and psychological abuse and to encourage schools to promote a safe and supportive learning environment, free from bullying, the implementation and enforcement of this laws has definitely not been consistent.

Bullying is a complex and deeply entrenched issue that requires a multifaceted approach to combat. All schools should be held accountable for the conduct of their students.  They should also be able to provide a conducive anti bullying environment for the children. Furthermore, students should be introduced and inculcated with the fact that every individual has the right to be treated with dignity and respect and must abhor all forms of bullying.