Editorial: Bullying In Schools Must Be Nipped In The Bud

According to graphiconline report, the management of Accra Academy Senior High School has handed over a student involved in a bullying incident to the police, following a viral video that sparked public outrage.In a statement addressing concerns over the footage, which appeared to show a student flogging a colleague with a cutlass, the school assured parents and guardians that swift action had been taken.

According to the school, the incident occurred nearly two weeks ago on 17th January 2024, but was not reported to the authorities until the video surfaced on social media.The story further revealed that the four students (three third-year students and one first year student) involved, who have been named by the Senior High School, are all day students. The victims, four first-year students were also named.

As part of immediate disciplinary measures, the school has directed all the perpetrators to stay away from school while investigations continue. The school’s disciplinary committee is conducting further inquiries into the matter and has assured all stakeholders that they will be informed of the final outcome.

The Chronicle is glad the management of Accra Academy Senior High School has taken a commendable and necessary step by handing over the students involved in the shocking case of bullying to the police. It is imperative that the authorities take decisive actions to curb this menace in the bud.

Bullying in Ghanaian schools is not a new phenomenon. Over the years, numerous cases have been reported, some of which have had tragic consequences. In 2021, a first-year student of Konongo-Odumase Senior High School, 15-year-old Larhan Sam-una was stabbed to death by a fellow student during a bullying incident. The victim had reportedly tried to stop the bully from harassing another student, only to pay with his life. This incident shook the nation, highlighting the fatal consequences of unchecked violence in schools.

Another infamous case was the death of a student at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Senior High School in 2020. The student, Richard Sam, was allegedly left unattended by school authorities after falling seriously ill. His condition worsened due to negligence and he later died at the hospital. While this case was not a direct result of bullying, it exposed the institutional failures that often enable abuse and maltreatment of students to persist.

One of the most alarming aspects of this incident is the use of a machete, a dangerous weapon that has no place in a school environment. The fact that a student was able to bring such an item to school is deeply concerning and raises serious questions about security measures in our schools. Schools must now prioritise stricter checks to prevent students from bringing weapons onto campus, since such lapses can result in deadly consequences.

While schools bear a significant responsibility for maintaining discipline, the fight against bullying must also involve parents and the wider society. Parents must take a more active role in monitoring their children’s behavior, ensuring that they are not perpetrators or victims of bullying.

Additionally, the government must implement nationwide anti-bullying policies that include strict disciplinary measures, counseling for victims and rehabilitation programs for perpetrators.

We must all remember that the safety of our children is paramount. Bullying should never be seen as a “normal” part of school life. It is a serious issue that demands immediate and sustained intervention. The time to act is now.

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