Awareness Programmes in 30 Schools Across 20 Districts to Prevent Bullying and Cyber Harassment; Online Exchange With Teachers on November 8

Awareness programmes have been held in 30 schools across 27 upazilas of 20 districts in the country to prevent violence, bullying and cyber harassment in schools.

Students, teachers, parents and local representatives took part in the programmes organised on Thursday (November 5) to mark the International Day Against Violence and Bullying at School. This year's theme for the day was: ‘Every learner safe and well: from promise to practice’.

The programmes discussed various aspects of physical and mental abuse, bullying, cyberbullying, sexual harassment and gender-based violence in schools. Staying safe online, protecting mental health and what to do to support students who face harassment were also highlighted.

The events were organised under the Health Promoting School (HPS) programme with the support of UNESCO's Dhaka office. The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) and the National Academy for Educational Management (NAEM) cooperated in the effort.

Addressing a programme, NAEM Director General Professor Dr Wasim Md Mezbahul Haque said trained teachers play an important role in building a healthy and aware generation. Under the Health Promoting School programme, alongside teachers, education administrators and managers are being trained in health and wellbeing education, mental health, prevention of gender-based violence, referral systems and psychosocial first aid, he said.

He said initiatives have been taken to increase teachers' necessary skills to prevent sexual harassment and gender-based violence in schools. However, alongside schools, families and society must also play a responsible role in stopping such incidents.

Dr Susan Vize, head of UNESCO's Dhaka office and the agency's representative in Bangladesh, said every child has the right to be safe at school, on the way to and from school, and online. Alongside raising awareness among students, teachers and parents to prevent bullying, it is essential to ensure an environment of mutual respect, empathy and care, she said.

At the programme held at Aganagar High School in Keraniganj, Dhaka, harassment of female students and the online safety of students and their families received importance. Emphasis was placed on increasing parents' awareness and skills to ensure their children's safe internet use. The school's head teacher, Husna Ara Begum, said necessary steps would be taken to prevent harassment of students and ensure the school's safety. This responsibility does not rest with teachers alone; students, parents, the school managing committee and everyone in society must work together, she said.

At Karim Uddin Public Pilot High School in Kaliganj, Lalmonirhat, awareness activities were carried out with banners and placards. Students were made aware of mutual respect, empathy and safe internet use. They were advised to protect others' personal privacy online, not to insult or harass anyone, and to stand beside classmates who are victims of bullying. Reporting such incidents to a trusted teacher or parent was also stressed.

The organisers said that, in continuation of the school-level programmes, UNESCO's Dhaka office will hold an online exchange meeting with teachers on November 8. Teachers will discuss their experiences, challenges and possible solutions in tackling violence, harassment and cyberbullying in schools. Based on those discussions, action plans will be prepared at the school level, setting out what needs to be done to ensure a safe campus, how responsibilities will be shared and how implementation will proceed.

UNESCO's Health Promoting School (HPS) programme is a global initiative. Its aim is to include health and wellbeing issues in the daily activities of schools. Through it, initiatives are taken to increase the skills of teachers and school managers and to involve students, families and local communities in ensuring students' physical and mental wellbeing.