Amid a troubling rise in bullying and violence within primary and secondary schools, the Federal Ministry of Education has announced the establishment of a whistleblower platform to enable anonymous reporting of such incidents.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, expressed grave concern over the prevalence of bullying, cultism, and other harmful behaviours in schools. He emphasized the detrimental impact of these issues on students’ academic performance, mental well-being, and moral values.
“Bullying and violence in schools have far-reaching consequences, including poor academic outcomes, mental health challenges, higher dropout rates, and a decline in moral standards,” Alausa stated.
In response, the ministry is launching a dedicated helpline and online platform to facilitate the anonymous reporting of bullying incidents. Dr. Alausa disclosed that the initiative is part of a broader collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies aimed at addressing cultism and criminal activities in schools.
“We are committed to creating a safe and conducive learning environment. Students and parents are encouraged to use this platform to report any cases of bullying or violence anonymously,” the minister added.
Dr. Alausa also urged students to reject bullying, violence, and cultism, and to confide in trusted adults whenever they encounter such situations.
This initiative comes in the wake of multiple high-profile bullying cases, including the tragic death of Sylvester Oromoni, a student at a private school in Lagos, and the suspension of 13 students from Federal Government College, Enugu, in November 2024 for bullying a fellow student.
The ministry’s proactive stance highlights its commitment to safeguarding the rights and well-being of students across Nigeria.
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