In response to the growing concern over bullying in boarding schools, principals of some schools in Gombe State have implemented measures to prevent the harassment of junior students by their seniors.
In an exclusive interview with our correspondent, Fatima Ali Baba, principal of Government Girls Mega College, Doma, proudly shared that bullying is no longer prevalent in her school due to proactive measures taken.
“For bullying, we even decided to separate the arms into various hostels. JSS 1 have their own hostel, JSS 2, their own, JSS 3, their own, SS 1, their own, SS 2, their own, and SS 3 have their own hostel,” she explained.
According to her, teachers are also forbidden from meting out corporate punishment to students, further promoting a safe environment for the students.
The principal noted that the school has also selected prefects and house captains to guide junior students in the various hostels in maintaining cleanliness and order.
“For the junior ones, JSS 1 to 3, we selected some prefects with house captains to be in the hostels so that they will be guiding the students in cleaning their environments.”
Also responding, Abubakar Bawa Abdullahi, vice principal of Government Girls Technical College, Amada, acknowledged that senior students often bully junior students to assert dominance and superiority in the school.
He said however that the school is working to stop this menace, backed by the state ministry’s anti-bullying policies.
The school administrators stated that by fostering a safe environment, schools can encourage students to thrive academically and emotionally.
