Busaosowo Foundation has urged educators, lawmakers, and families to move beyond reactive measures and adopt a comprehensive, preventative approach to protect children following rising cases of school bullying. In particular, they advocate for a proactive approach to stop school bullying that addresses issues before they escalate.
This was contained in a press statement issued by Busaosowo Bisong, the Executive Director of Busaosowo Foundation, on Thursday, March 19, following the recent case of bullying at Igbinedion Education Centre, Benin City, Edo State. Moreover, the Foundation reiterated the importance of a proactive approach to stop school bullying in their statement.
In the statement, the Foundation expressed grave concern over the alarming rise in school bullying incidents across the country, noting that the incidents reflect weak family values and systemic failure to protect children. Clearly, a proactive approach to stop school bullying can help address these underlying causes.
The Foundation said bullying has evolved beyond simple playground disputes to actual physical harm that, in some cases, has resulted in death.
Bisong said, “Bullying is not just a one-off event; it is consistent and leaves the victims with long-term consequences like trauma, depression, declining academic performance, and, in extreme cases, self-harm.
“This is not just about ‘children being children’; it reflects weak family values and a systemic failure to protect our children. We cannot continue to treat the symptoms while ignoring the disease.” In other words, a proactive approach to stop school bullying is urgently needed to make schools safer.
The Foundation also stressed that there must be clear and very strict consequences for bullying in both private and public schools, including indefinite suspension and potential prosecution leading to juvenile detention for offending teenagers, holding parents legally and financially liable for their children’s actions, and imposing heavy fines or closure on schools that fail to maintain a safe school environment.
“We have to move beyond disciplinary committees and apology videos to real action,” the statement further read.
Bisong added that Busaosowo Foundation is committed to working with schools and community leaders to develop pilot programmes and resources to combat bullying.
Recall that a recent video, which went viral, showed two students of Igbenedion Education Centre, Edo State, assaulting a co-student.
The school authority has since announced the expulsion of the students and described the behaviour as disturbing and contrary to the school’s values.
“Following immediate investigation, the students responsible have been expelled from the school with immediate effect. Such conduct will never be tolerated within our school community,” the school said
By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
