| Hakim Hayat |
BRUNEI is stepping up its efforts to combat bullying in schools by organising more intervention programmes involving parents, teachers and students to raise awareness on its negative effects and find ways to reduce the occurrence of this global problem.
The intervention programme, carried out through workshops targetting specific groups from schools including Parent-Teacher Association, is being held in stages ahead of the anticipated launch of the nationwide ‘Bully-Free Brunei Campaign’ (Brunei Bebas Buli, or 3B) in schools across the country later this year.
The Global School-Based Health Survey (GSHS), carried out by the Health Promotion Centre (HPC) of the Ministry of Health (MoH) in 2014 has indicated that among 2,599 students aged 13-17 years from schools across Brunei, 21.1 per cent of them are victims of bullying in school.
A study conducted by the Ministry of Education (MoE) recently has also confirmed the findings of the GSHS survey.
A 3B workshop for secondary schools was organised at the HPC in Commonwealth Drive yesterday that involved parents, teachers and peer guidance support (PRS) students to discuss issues pertaining to bullying and steps to prevent its occurrence.
The workshop is one of the strategies of the 3B initiative spearheaded by the Mental Health Strategic Group at the HPC with support from the Department of Schools, MoE and the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF).
According to HPC, the bullying issue among students is not unique or limited to any culture and has existed for so long. With the advent of technology, occurrence of online bullying has also become rampant.
The MoH, through the HPC with cooperation from the Department of Schools, recognises the importance of implementing intervention programmes to reduce and change the risky behaviour among students before it becomes unabated and this is in line with Brunei Vision 2035 which envisages creation of a harmonious and prospering community.
During the workshop, which was attended by over 40 individuals from targetted groups, the latest information on the issue of bullying was shared and the ‘implementers’ of the campaign were also given basic training on project management to enable them to broaden their reach on the 3B initiative in schools across the country.
The groups were also given the opportunity to share their ideas on the best method of presentation that will later be used during the Bully-Free Brunei Campaign in schools.
The MoH hopes that such discussions will help the campaign reach its goals – to handle the issue of bullying and its effects on those involved including victims, the bully and witnesses as well as reduce the rate of bullying in schools; to promote a bully-free culture among schools by providing guidance and increasing their knowledge on its negative impacts as well as enhancing the knowledge and awareness of the public on its ill implications.
Among the schools taking part in the workshop yesterday were Awang Semaun Secondary School, Pengiran Isteri Hajjah Mariam Secondary School. Sayyidina Abu Bakar Secondary School, Rimba 1 Secondary School, Katok Secondary School and Sayyidina Umar Al-Khattab Secondary School.
MoH said it hopes to see a collective effort from different ministries, the private sector, youth groups and other relevant parties in combating bullying, involving people from all walks of life.
“The contribution and involvement in generating ideas, efforts and energy are much needed because the impact of bullying is universal and must be given attention because its negative effects would cause depression or trauma to victims,” MoH added.
At the conclusion of the workshop, certificates of participation were handed over to the participants by Assistant Head Section 1, HPC, MoH Haji Zakaria bin Haji Kamis.