MP condemns bullying

By REBECCA KUKU
THE Minister for Youth Religion and Community Development Wake Goi has condemned all forms of child bullying which is on the rise in schools.
He made a call to teachers and parents to address the issue.
Goi told The National that child bullying came in many forms, from physical or verbal abuse to cyber bullying through the use of mobile phones.
“Every school should take this matter seriously and establish corrective measures to advocate and address it at the earliest opportunity and not take it lightly to an extent where the victim suffers from emotional or psychological distress,” he said.
“Though there is no available data for the country, there are reports from various schools that there are already pupils silently suffering from unreported cases for fear.”
Goi said protecting all children under the Lukautim Pikinini Act was important.
“The Lukautim Pikinini Act promotes the rights of all children and protects them from all forms of violence and abuse that includes bullying and psychological needs,” Goi said. “Under the LPA, a child can get protection from the courts.
That includes fines and even imprisonment of anyone found guilty in the act of bullying.”
Community Development and Religion Department secretary Anna Kavana Bais, who is also the chairman of the national office of child and family welfare services board, condemned bullying.
She called on teachers and parents to discuss bullying at schools and identify solutions and including disciplinary measures to mitigate and alleviate the issue.
“Simple things such as class policies on assertive behaviour should be developed and students encouraged to practice in classrooms and outside of classrooms and on their way home,” she said.
“The national office of child and family services can only intervene (and if necessary issue a direction) in extreme circumstances such as violence, exploitation, rape, sexual assault, murder and harmful social or customary practices including any cases that may be criminal in nature after all avenues are exhausted.
“But any offences that can be managed at the school administrative level should be first dealt with at that level.
“There is no reason why teachers and parents should not work together to address this issue.”