National Bullying Prevention Week: Experts to shed light on vice

Multiple research studies have found that the short-term and long-term effects of bullying on those involved are far more profound and lasting than previously believed: Official

DUBAI: The Ministry of Education (MOE) will organise the National Bullying Prevention Week on April 22-28, to raise awareness on bullying across the UAE.

The event is organised under the patronage of Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), and in partnership with some UAE ministers and more than 20 local and federal entities.

Throughout the week, trained educators and consultants will visit public and private schools to shed light on various bullying matters, such as what is bullying, its different forms, what is cyber bullying and what the characteristics of a bully are.

In addition they will also highlight the impact of bullying on children and how it could negatively affect their lives and mental health and why do bullies behave the way they do.

During these visits, the students will be advised on how to act or respond if they encounter a bully or witness anyone being bullied at school, home or anywhere.

Hussain Bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, said, “Bullying shouldn’t be excluded or ignored as it’s a sensitive topic that directly affects a student’s surroundings and could create a gap between him/her and the school community if it is not handled in a methodical manner or the root cause investigated and treated.”

MOE is keen on collecting data related to bullying to get a clear idea of its prevalence in our schools and be able to provide decision makers in the educational sector with reliable information on this matter to support their decisions. The National Bullying Prevention Week activities promote educational concepts that have a signiicant Impact In our Community and highlight our common values and the societal and institutional efforts to eliminate bullying.

Jameela Al Muheiri, Minister of State for Public Education, said, “Multiple research studies have found that the short-term and long-term effects of bullying on those involved, on the education system and or the wider society are far more profound and lasting than previously believed. Bullying negatively affects students’ educational performance and their emotional and mental growth. For example, repeated name-calling, teasing and physical assault are often causes for increased absenteeism among those students who feel vulnerable, insecure and alienated.”

Ohou db intkh al fan alrou mi, minister of State for Happiness and Wellbeing, reiterated the important role the National Bullying Prevention Committee plays in “Promoting a positive culture and instilling moral values that will reduce bullying behaviour and its psychological impact in UAE schools.”

As part of the campaign’s activities, the MOE is organising walkathons in public destinations in efforts of combating this social phenomenon. Hundreds of students and teachers are set to be part of these walkathons. The Ministry is also hosting a youth circle session for cycle three students in collaboration with the Minister of State for Youth to discuss bullying and come up with solutions related to the topic.

Between the year 2013 and 2017, the MOE trained 696 counsellors, teachers and principals from schools on bullying prevention methods and techniques and in April 2018 a specialised workshop was organised to train 713 educators, 363 of whom are counsellors and 350 principals.