Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has announced that the federal government is set to develop a national policy on bullying to address the issue of students being bullied across schools in Nigeria.
This decision follows numerous viral cases of bullying that have sparked outrage among parents and Nigerians.
Speaking on Wednesday, December 11, in an interview with journalists after a meeting with principals of Federal Government Unity Colleges in Abuja, Alausa stated that the policy on bullying would be developed at the next National Council on Education.
“We will not tolerate or accept any bullying in any of our schools and in our society. What we’re doing now is formalising a policy that we will take to the highest policy-making organ in the country,” he said.
The minister also mentioned that a nationwide sensitisation programme would be launched to educate students, teachers, and parents on the dangers of bullying and violence, and to promote a culture of kindness and respect.
He emphasised the need to strengthen school policies, requiring all secondary schools to implement strict anti-bullying policies, enforce disciplinary measures, and establish functional guidance and counselling units.
“We as a government have zero tolerance for bullying. We got the solicitor general to come and talk to the principals of the school about what we have today as part of the law of the land to address bullying,” he added.
The minister explained that the gathering discussed the Safe School Act and other existing policies and laws to tackle bullying.
“We’ve been using several of these laws to come up with a national policy that we in the Federal Ministry of Education have been working on with the Attorney General’s office to quickly finalise.
“We can take this to the National Council of Education for adoption as part of our process to address bullying and discipline in society,” he said.
According to him, state governments will be involved in the implementation of the policy. He added that the ministry had done a lot to instill discipline in schools.
