Set up robust anti-bullying committee, NBSE to schools

DIMAPUR— The Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) has reminded all heads of institutions adopt a robust anti-bullying and ragging committee and to have a zero tolerance policy, to curb the menace of bullying and ragging in schools and hostels.

Informing that there are instances of students seeking to transfer schools due to incidences of bullying in some schools, the NBSE in a notification stated that every act of ragging or bullying, be it major or minor, is beyond the limits of decency, morality and humanity.

“The prevalence of bullying and victimisation among school-going children is a grave concern, which has severe consequences in both the short and long term,” NBSE stated.

Accordingly, there is an urgent need for institutions to have a school counsellor to support students socially, emotionally, and academically when facing challenges that can prevent them from fully thriving within the school setting, it stated.

The board requested heads of institutions to take all possible measures to create a conducive environment for the learners and ensure that no child becomes a victim of bullying or ragging.

The board stated that as per the reports of UNESCO, that bullying has a significant negative effect on children’s mental health, quality of life, and academic achievement.