A timely push against bullying

Nov 15, 2025 Editorial, News

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(Kaieteur News) – The Ministry of Education’s new Anti-Bullying and Anti-Violence Reporting System represents a long-overdue and welcome step toward addressing one of the most troubling social issues in our schools.

For too long, this problem has been allowed to fester in classrooms, corridors, and playgrounds, often dismissed as a “normal” part of growing up. It is not. Bullying leaves deep emotional scars, destroys self-esteem, and in some cases, pushes young people into despair, depression, and even suicide.

The launch of this new digital reporting system, unveiled by Education Minister Sonia Parag at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre last Sunday, signals that the government is finally taking this problem seriously. It also reflects a broader recognition that school safety must go beyond fences and guards; it must extend to the emotional and psychological wellbeing of students.

Minister Parag was clear in her message— the government is adopting a zero-tolerance approach to bullying. The new platform allows students, parents, and teachers to report incidents of harassment confidentially, ensuring that victims can seek help without fear of retaliation. This is an important development. Many children suffer in silence because they are afraid to speak up, believing that doing so will make things worse. Providing a safe, private, and accessible channel for reporting abuse is therefore a vital first step in breaking the culture of silence and shame that often surrounds bullying.

What is particularly encouraging about this initiative is its multi-ministerial support. The Ministries of Education, Human Services, Home Affairs, and Legal Affairs have all committed to a joint approach, including the establishment of a national task force and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to ensure consistent implementation.

This is precisely the kind of coordinated, multi-sectoral effort that complex social problems demand. As Human Services Minister Dr. Vindhya Persaud rightly noted, tackling bullying cannot be the responsibility of one ministry alone; it requires community-wide engagement, including parents, teachers, social workers, and law enforcement officers.

The inclusion of Human Services and Home Affairs is especially significant. Bullying is not only an education issue, it is a social one. Many of the behaviours we see in schools are reflections of what children experience at home or in their communities. Violence, aggression, and disrespect are often learned behaviours. Therefore, interventions must address not just the symptoms but also the root causes. Minister Persaud’s remarks highlighted ongoing work by the Childcare and Protection Agency, the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Unit, and other social support departments, all of which have vital roles to play in shaping children’s behavioural development.

This initiative also comes at a time when bullying has evolved beyond the physical classroom. The rise of social media has introduced new forms of harassment: cyberbullying, online shaming, and digital intimidation that can follow children wherever they go. As Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond pointed out, the urgency to confront bullying has grown with its digital reach. The effects of online harassment are often devastating and long-lasting, and they require both awareness and modern solutions.

The government’s proposal to introduce Moral and Civic Education into the school curriculum is another positive move. It acknowledges that preventing bullying is not just about punishment or policy enforcement, but about shaping character and values from an early age. Teaching empathy, respect, and conflict resolution can go a long way in building a culture of kindness and tolerance among students.

However, while this initiative deserves full commendation, it must not stop at the launch stage. Too many well-intentioned programmes have withered due to lack of follow-up, inadequate resources, or poor coordination. The government must ensure that this anti-bullying effort blossoms into a sustained national campaign — one that is visible, well-resourced, and continuously evaluated. Schools should have trained counsellors, clear disciplinary frameworks, and active monitoring systems. Teachers and administrators must be equipped to recognize signs of bullying early and respond appropriately.

Equally important is the role of parents and communities. As Minister Parag noted, the fight against bullying requires a “mindset shift.” That shift begins at home. Parents must model respect and empathy in their own behaviour, teaching children that violence, intimidation, and ridicule are unacceptable in any form.

We as a society must also reject the idea that bullying is simply a childhood rite of passage. There is nothing “normal” about humiliation, exclusion, or physical abuse. Every act of bullying chips away at the moral fabric of our society, breeding resentment and perpetuating cycles of violence that extend well into adulthood. The government’s anti-bullying initiative, with its digital reporting system and multi-agency collaboration, represents a hopeful turning point. It is a step toward safer schools and a more compassionate nation.

But lasting change will depend on all of us — policymakers, teachers, parents, and students alike — committing to build a culture where respect is the norm and cruelty finds no refuge. If this effort is pursued with persistence and sincerity, it could not only transform our schools but also help shape a generation of Guyanese who value empathy, fairness, and humanity. That is the true measure of education—not just the learning of facts, but the cultivation of character.

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• Anti-Bullying, Anti-Violence Reporting System, bullying, Editorial, social issues, Sonia Parag

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