On the ground that the school creates an ideal study environment, Olashore International School has embarked on Anti-bullying campaign in the school, following the act of bullying that has eaten deep into the society. Located at Illoko-Ijesha, Osun state, the school compelled students to come up with presentations to curb the anti-bullying practice, with the aim of educating them to fit into the society.
The School operates on a serene environment, in order to nurture children to their full potentials and develop 21st century leaders, while also ensuring academic excellence. Having realized that bullying as eaten deep into the society and is capable of destabilizing children especially the victims, the school has thought it wise to embark on the Anti-bullying campaign.
As a matter of fact, most bullies were bullied in some secondary schools, and it is believed that bullying is a tradition passed from one set of seniors to another. Some bullies turn themselves into predators because they want to feel superior to others thus lowering the self – esteem of the prey. The School reiterated that to ensure the campaign is brought to lime light, students who are bullied should Speak Out, Create Awareness, Report to the right authority, and Stand up for themselves, and avoid the bully if he/she continues picking on the prey.
According to the principal of the school, Mr Derek Smith, “Anti-bullying campaign is something we’ve been working on for the past two (2) years. Bullying has eaten deep into our society, and we are working hard to stop it. We have large bullying problem and we think that the key solution is zero tolerance, therein lies the anti-bullying campaign we are embarking on. We compelled the students to come up with ideas in a presentation. With this presentation, anyone who is involved in bullying will know that it’s not acceptable. The presentation talks about what bullying and the reason people should refrain from it. Aside from the zero tolerance too, Education will help curtail bullying amongst students and in the society”.
“Traditionally in Nigeria, the emphasis on bullying has been on physical bullying, but actually we also have the psychological bullying. But the kids are seeing how that can be done with. We educate our children so that they can deal with anti-bullying anywhere they find themselves, either in the university or any place of work. Psychological bullying has to do with intimidation that goes on in the work place, when in positions of leadership. It has really impacted on the students. Bullying also means not involving some people in activities. That’s not fair. The key of this anti-bullying campaign is however to educate the students in order to fit into the society”.
According to the student’s presentation, Bullying is a deliberate continuous hostile behavior towards a person in order to inflict harm on him or her. It is a step by step method used to torment or torture another. According to them can mean oppressing someone physically, emotionally and verbal only to prove superiority over the oppressed. Bullying is caused by peer pressure, popularity/fame, background, aggressive nature, and above all the seniority power. Bullying comes in various forms which include, the physical bulling (beating, hitting, kicking, slapping, etc), Social bullying (Exclusion, Gossiping and spreading false rumors about the person), and verbal bullying (abusive words, insulting, Mocking & Teasing, and threatening. The consequences of bullying are low self esteem, fear, shame, depression, and even death.
Established in 1994, on 60 acres of land, Olashore International School is a co-educational school which offers high calibre education in a wide range of subjects. It is one of Nigeria’s leading boarding schools, particularly appealing to discerning Nigerians at home and abroad, as well as expatriates residing in Nigeria, who desire a school with a strong value system, proven track record and a clear sense of purpose.
