Some educationists have called on parents, guardians to help stop the rising trend of bullying in society, particularly in public and private schools.
In separate interviews on Sunday in Lagos, the educationists stated that children often expressed and exhibited what they had learned from home in the larger society.
They said children did not learn the act of bullying in their schools, rather a product of negative behaviour they had already been exposed to at home.
A counsellor, Edith Nnalule, said many parents bullied their children and wards without even realising the damages being caused to both the child and the society.
The counsellor said most times, children grew up knowing their parents and what they did, saying that if a child was bullied at home, he would go back to society to practice such acts.
“Most of these children that engaged in bullying in schools or those who bullied in the workplaces didn’t learn the behaviour there.
“Some of them, because they are not well guided, you know, they grow with it.
“When they enter the upper class or workplaces, they begin to bully and see it as normal,” she said.
Ms Nnalue said those who engaged in bullying sometimes regarded their actions as instilling authority, while those who lacked self-confidence saw them as protecting their self-esteem.
She urged parents and guardians to promptly recognise the signs of bullying so that the children could be properly checked and consequently reduce its spilling into society.
Johnson Ologundudu, president of the National Association of Proprietors of Public Schools (NAPPS), Amuwo Odofin chapter, said experience had shown educators that engagers learned the act of bullying from home.
Reacting to viral videos and reports of various forms of bullying at schools, Mr Ologundudu said the major cause was a spillover from society.
“These children are from different homes with different backgrounds and orientations,” he said.
He said the ‘Lagos State Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy’ (LSSCPP) served as a guide for schools in setting up structures to tackle the menace of bullying.
Mr Ologundudu urged sister institutions to domesticate the LSSCPP and set up structures to help reduce the menace of bullying.
He further urged various institutions within society, including families, schools and religious organisations to work together to reduce bullying in schools.
(NAN)
