If the incident occurred while the kid was in school, then it is the responsibility of the school entirelyManokwari, West Papua (ANTARA) - West Papua has instructed the heads of district and city education offices in the province to prevent bullying in schools as it could negatively affect children's psychological development.
Referring to the recent bullying of a student at 35 State Elementary School Sanggeng, Manokwari, West Papua Education Office head Bernabas Dowansiba said that the school must be held responsible.
"If the incident occurred while the kid was in school, then it is the responsibility of the school entirely, in this case, the principal and the teacher council. It's a different case if it happened outside school hours," he explained.
To prevent similar cases from recurring, the West Papua Education Office has urged the heads of the district and city education offices to extensively monitor schools and gauge their conditions, including problems related to education in schools.
Dowansiba said he expects schools to anticipate the risk of bullying and immediately follow up on reports from parents of children experiencing bullying.
"The school's role is very huge in forming children's character. Not only in educating, but also in shaping the character and directing students," he added.
He again stressed that bullying in schools must be prevented because it would have a negative impact on the psychological development of children.
"We are talking about elementary education; do not (forget that the) consequences of bullying interfere with children's psychology. If this incident can happen, then clearly there is neglect," he added.
Some measures that parents of students who fall victim to bullying could take include transferring the children to another school so that their growth and development are not impeded.
"If you stay in the same school, then the child will definitely limit themselves so they can't be creative and (they) will definitely (build walls around them)," he noted.
The case of bullying of a student at 35 State Elementary School Sanggeng, Manokwari, came to light after the victim's parent, Bagus Wicaksono, voiced disappointment at the school's response after it was informed about the incident.
Wicaksono said that his child, who is in the second grade, fell sick and suffered bruising on the pelvis and a tear on the lower lip.
The victim told their parents that they were beaten by their peers.
Related news: PPLIPI educates Jakartans to prevent violence against children
Related news: Everyone's responsibility to prevent bullying against children: Jokowi
Related news: Parents must teach children to prevent violence: Ministry
Translator: Tri Adi S, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
