Bullying-Tolerance of others shows tolerance for self |04 September 2008

Bullying can be divided into two categories: direct bullying and indirect bullying. The former involves a great deal of physical aggression such as shoving and poking, throwing things, slapping, choking, punching and kicking, beating, stabbing, pulling hair, scratching, biting, and pinching.

Indirect bullying is more subtle and more likely to be verbal, such as name calling, the silent treatment, arguing others into submission, manipulation, gossip, lies, rumours, staring, giggling, laughing at the victim, saying certain words that trigger a reaction from a past event, and mocking. No matter their type, they all have the same purpose, which is to scare or silence others.

Bullies usually pick on smaller and weaker students but they can also target anyone whom they consider as different from them and their friends. They may behave this way to be perceived as popular or tough or to get attention. They may bully out of jealousy or be acting because they themselves are bullied either at school or at home. Their antisocial behaviour causes their victims immense distress, makes them feel insecure and can affect their academic performance if the action is not seen or reported.

If a student feels threatened or is harassed by another student, he/she needs to report it to a teacher or school counsellor immediately or inform their parents. School staff should not overlook behaviour that imposes on the wellbeing and rights of others and should make bullies understand that physical and verbal abuse is against the law and will not be tolerated. 

The DPP outlines three levels of action to deal with repeated incidents of bullying:
1st offence: one-day suspension, meeting with parents or issue of first warning letter
                     and placed on a counselling programme.

2nd offence: three-day suspension, meeting with parents and final warning letter.

3rd offence: five-day suspension and referral to the Student Welfare Unit at the
                        Ministry of Education headquarters for further action.