Bullying in schools has become a growing concern across India, and Jammu and Kashmir is no exception. Reportedly, a national survey executed by the Performance Assessment, Review and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development (PARAKH)-NCERT under the Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL), Ministry of Education (MoE) has come out with alarming statistics claiming that 33 percent students are being teased by other students in J&K schools while 29 percent students have to face exclusion from group activities after being discriminated by their fellow classmates.
This information is quite serious as bullying in schools can lead to adverse effects on the victims’ lives as this causes low self-esteem and other psychological issues which in the long run can prove detrimental as far as personality development is concerned. In the extreme cases, such an environment can persuade the affected individuals to consider ending their lives, therefore the concerned quarters should take this situation very seriously and go for the remedial measures in the schools on war footing because such an atmosphere should not be allowed to remain there for long time.
It is pertinent to mention that the latest survey has suggested strengthening anti-bullying measures, fostering peer inclusivity, and implementing key protection policies to enhance the overall learning experience.
Going by the issues pointed out by the aforesaid survey, it becomes the responsibility of the heads of the educational institutions to ensure a safe environment for all without any exception as any lethargy on their part can prove detrimental in shaping the personalities of the affected lot. The survey has also revealed that incidents of students being threatened or physically pushed around were also noted while a smaller group mentioned not feeling safe at school as well, which is quite disturbing and therefore the government should intervene and come up with fresh guidelines and SOPs to overcome this challenge with efficacy as the situation is grim because the consequences of complacency in the matter could be devastating as the issue is of future nation builders of the country.
All said and done, the concerned authorities should bring about immediate changes to make schools in J&K temples of learning and not the places forcing students to face fear and trauma.
