Minister of Education, Alausa,pledges to collaborate on National anti-bullying policy

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has vowed to collaborate with the Ministry of Justice to develop a national policy aimed at addressing the growing issue of bullying in schools.

Dr. Alausa made the announcement on Wednesday during a press briefing in Abuja, following widespread reports of bullying incidents shared on social media.

Alausa revealed that the Ministry of Education has engaged 125 principals of unity colleges to discuss the Safe Schools Act and anti-bullying measures.

He emphasized that the Nigerian secondary school system should not only foster academic excellence but also instill discipline, values, and life skills in students.

“Unfortunately, we are witnessing a rise in bullying, violence, cultism, substance abuse, and other harmful behaviors that are threatening the integrity of our educational institutions,” Alausa said.

He pointed out that these issues are contributing to poor academic performance, mental health challenges, higher dropout rates, and a decline in moral values among students.

The minister assured that the Federal Ministry of Education, in partnership with the Office of the Attorney General, is working swiftly to formulate the national policy.

He said the policy would be presented for adoption at the National Council of Education (NCE) early next year as part of efforts to combat bullying and promote discipline within schools.

“This administration, under President Bola Tinubu, has zero tolerance for bullying and is committed to eliminating it from our schools,” Alausa declared.

He added that the policy would include a comprehensive review of strategies to address bullying, with an emphasis on ensuring both academic and moral development for students.

Alausa also made it clear that any student, principal, or teacher found guilty of bullying or enabling such behavior would face strict disciplinary actions.

He mentioned that the ministry is in the process of appointing new regional directors across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones to focus on enforcing discipline.

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“Discipline is not limited to students. Any principal or teacher who attempts to cover up acts of bullying will also be held accountable,” Alausa stated.

In a related development, Jeddy Agba, the Solicitor General of the Federal Ministry of Justice, linked bullying in schools to poor accountability and inadequate monitoring.

Agba urged the Ministry of Education to play a more active role in ensuring that the new policies are effectively implemented.

“Schools must adopt a zero-tolerance stance on bullying and create supportive, safe environments for learning,” Agba stressed. “Clear compliance mechanisms, regular inspections, and penalties for non-compliance are essential to ensuring the success of these policies.”

The proposed national policy is expected to be rolled out in early 2025, marking a significant step in the government’s efforts to eradicate bullying from the country’s educational institutions.