In recent days, Igbinedion Education Centre has remained in the news following a well-known bullying occurrence that has stirred prevalent outrage. A viral video caught the moment a group of students released terror on a fellow student in a secluded location of the school, raising severe concerns across the education community.
The troubling video footage set off intense reactions from worried teachers and members of the general public, a number of whom questioned how such an act might be performed with such boldness and evident impunity. Observers likewise raised critical questions about supervision, questioning why no instructor or adult was present at the scene. Moms and dads, naturally, have revealed deep issues over the security of their kids within the school environment.
Bullying, no doubt, stays a recurring problem in many schools. In some circumstances, it is handled internally, as lots of proprietors choose to avoid public examination that might damage their reputation or draw in legal repercussions. Nevertheless, it is extensively acknowledged that bullying is not tolerated and should be dealt with decisively, as it is basically a violation of human dignit.
In response to the recent occurrence, Igbinedion Education Centre took an extreme step by expelling the primary transgressors and their accomplices. While the decision surprised some parents, it also drew commendation from sections of the public who considered it as a firm stance against indiscipline.
Nevertheless, opinions stay divided.
Having actually carefully analyzed the situation and the punishment portioned, Edugist, an education-focused media organisation, moved to sample the opinions of stakeholders including school administrators, instructors, counsellors, legal specialists, and moms and dads. As an organisation committed to education advancement, it is incumbent on us to engage critically in matters of this nature.
While numerous consider the school’s action proper, we maintain that expulsion should not always be the default reaction. There are alternative corrective procedures that can be checked out. From experience, expelling trainees for bullying has not efficiently eliminated the issue. If the goal is to truly suppress bullying, then services must go beyond just removing culprits from the school environment.
Stakeholders Speak
Adenike Ogungbo, Education Officer I, rejected expulsion as the most proper response, mentioning clearly.
“No, expulsion is not too suitable for bullying. The student ought to see school counsellors, be given after-school detention or special projects, and likewise engage in school or social work.”
Nkechukwufunnaya Ugbo, Education Expert, used a more reflective take, saying:
“Numerous children who bully others were as soon as bullied themselves. This does not excuse the behaviour, however it reminds us that correction should be deliberate and corrective.”
She included, “In my viewpoint, expulsion needs to not constantly be the first response. If the child shows authentic effort and measurable behavioural modification, the decision to expel might be postponed while the student is put under structured behavioural tracking and counselling.”
On the broader concern, she alerted, “If bullying is an age-long practice in the school, then the concern exceeds individual trainees; it recommends a systemic and structural problem within the institution.”
Ismail Àwòfẹ́ Agbéyínká, Academic Administrator, supported a more balanced approach, “Expulsion is appropriate due to the fact that it secures other students and sends a strong message, but it is not enough. Expulsion eliminates the problem from the school, but it does not always fix the problem in the child.”
He even more worried the legal and ethical weight of the occurrence, “What occurred was not regular bullying; it is a clear case of assault and battery. The case must be examined by law enforcement so the students comprehend that violence has legal effects.”
Olaniyi Olusoji Ezekiel, Head of School, emphasized that education must surpass penalty, “Expulsion can be suitable for severe or persistent bullying, however it is typically a last resort because the goal of education is not only penalty but also rehab and character advancement.”
From a legal viewpoint, Barrister Idowu Awopeju noted, “Under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act 2015, what we saw in that video is a crime in Nigeria. The students included ought to be handed over to the cops and taken through the juvenile justice system.”
Also weighing in, Adeola Adenubi, Master Principal Solution Engineer, advocated structured correction: “The student needs to go through well-defined counselling with measurable milestones. He or she needs to be brought to the realization of the unsuitable behaviour and its ramifications on others.”
Beyond Expulsion
From the variety of viewpoints tested, something is clear: expulsion alone may not be sufficient to deal with the much deeper issues surrounding bullying. Stakeholders are significantly advocating for a more holistic method– one that combines discipline with rehabilitation, justice, and avoidance.
Alternative measures suggested consist of behavioural intervention plans, counselling, corrective justice practices, monitored probation, social work, and more powerful school policies that actively dissuade bullying.
If the goal is to really curb bullying in schools, then the conversation must move from reaction to avoidance, and from penalty alone to significant change.