Minister of Education Dr. Aishath Ali has stated collaborative efforts are required to stop the act of bullying in schools.
The education minister made the statement in a tweet posted on the occasion of the 1st International Day against Violence and Bullying at School, Including Cyberbullying. In her tweet, the minister noted bullying in schools deprives millions of children and young people of their fundamental Right to Education and a better future. She stated collaborative efforts are required from everyone to stop the act of bullying.
The International Day against Violence and Bullying at School Including Cyberbullying is marked on the first Thursday of every November. The day was declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) member states during the 40th Session of the UNESCO General Conference in November 2019.
The purpose of marking the day is recognising that school-related violence in all its forms is an infringement of children and adolescents’ rights to education and to health and well-being. It calls for the strengthening of partnerships and initiatives that accelerate progress to prevent and eliminate violence and bullying at school including cyberbullying.
According to a UNESCO report, almost one in three students have been bullied by their peers at school at least once in the last month, and a similar proportion are affected by physical violence. Online and mobile phone bullying is also on the rise, with evidence showing a strong connection and continuum between offline and online bullying.