REPORT ON THE NATIONAL WEEK OF ACTION AGAINST BULLYING & VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS (NOV. 11-15, 2024)

The Esteemed CEO/ Director/Principal                                                   November 17, 2024

 

Dear Sir/ Ma,

 

REPORT ON THE NATIONAL WEEK OF ACTION AGAINST BULLYING & VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS (NOV. 11-15, 2024)

 

OVERVIEW:
From November 11 to 15, 2024, over 200,000 students from public, private, community, and faith-based schools across Nigeria participated in a nationwide initiative aimed at combating bullying and violence in educational institutions. This initiative, coordinated by the African Principals Conference Initiative (APCI) with technical support from the Federal Ministry of Education, focused on raising awareness of bullying policies and promoting acts of kindness among students.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:

1. Awareness and Understanding: To increase knowledge and understanding of existing bullying policies in schools.
2. Modeling Kindness: To foster an environment where acts of kindness are encouraged and demonstrated by students.

ACTIVITIES:
The program featured a diverse array of activities designed to fulfill the outlined objectives:

1. Educational Lectures and Talks: Sessions focusing on the definitions, signs, impacts of bullying, and effective management strategies
2. Rallies and Demonstrations: Schools organized rallies to engage the local community and raise awareness about bullying.
3. Multimedia Presentations: Video shows and kindness card displays illustrated the effects of bullying and highlighted the importance of kindness.
4. Empowerment Initiatives: The launch of the ABR Students Well-being Ambassadors Club empowered students to take the lead in anti-bullying initiatives and promote academic excellence through kindness.

 

 

KEY FINDINGS:

1. Prevalence of Bullying: Bullying is widespread in schools and significantly impacts students' academic performance.
2. Lack of Proactive Measures: Many schools do not have formal anti-bullying policies or dedicated programs to combat bullying.
3. Low Staff Morale: A general sense of disengagement was noted among school staff regarding the issue of bullying.
4. Need for Training: Continuous professional development is essential for school leaders and staff to foster safe learning environments.
5. Advocacy for Data-Driven Management: Adoption of data-centric practices is crucial for improving performance and effectively addressing bullying. All aspects of school management can be expressed numerically for effective monitoring and control.
6. Merit-Based Leadership: Leadership roles in schools need to be assigned based on merit and the ability to tackle emerging challenges rather than on seniority.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Enhancing Learning Conditions: Implement key performance indicators (KPIs) for the selection and deployment of school leaders to enhance accountability and effectiveness.
2. Staff Evaluation Framework: Establish KPIs for all academic and non-academic staff with compulsory adoption to address declining learning outcomes in Nigerian schools, as discussed during APCI’s yearly workshops.
3. Constructive Performance Queries: Utilize performance queries as developmental tools rather than punitive measures to drive improvement.
4. Merit-Based Hiring Practices: Reinforce the importance of meritocratic appointments and training across all levels of school administration.

 

NEXT STEPS:

1. The APCI will continue to support schools in the development and adoption of comprehensive anti-bullying policies while empowering students as Well-being Ambassadors.
2. Supervisory bodies are urged to establish specific KPIs for school leadership and ensure these are communicated to newly appointed heads prior to their assumption of duty.
3. Plans are underway for a nationwide tracking study on students' well-being and bullying, scheduled for 2025, building on the baseline findings from 2023, accessible at www.africatopschools.com.

 

CONCLUSION:
The National Week of Action Against Bullying & Violence in Schools has highlighted critical issues surrounding bullying in Nigerian schools and underscores the urgent need for systemic change. By implementing the recommended strategies and fostering a culture of accountability and kindness, we aim to create safer and more nurturing educational environments for all students. The APCI team is committed to providing ongoing support in the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of follow-up actions.

 Yours Faithfully, 

For: AFRICAN PRINCIPALS CONFERENCE INITIATIVE 

 

 

 

Joseph Ayodele, BSc, MBA, CMC, FAPCI, FIMC 

Director- General 

+234(0)8023308188

 

 

Cc       Hon. Minister, Federal Ministry of Education

            Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education

 

Attachment

Kindness Board and anti- bullying messages at Albesta Academy, Lekki, Lagos State https://i.postimg.cc/5NXJB6z4/IMG-20241115-WA0021.jpg