Arunachal: Education department mandates guidelines on bullying and ragging

Guwahati: The Education Department has issued detailed directives to prevent bullying and ragging in schools and educational institutes, requiring all institutions to implement strong anti-bullying measures, according to a report by The Arunachal Times.

The move follows concerns raised by Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights Chairperson Ratan Anya, who highlighted the increasing incidents of bullying and ragging in schools and hostels, urging immediate enforcement of anti-bullying guidelines.

Under the directives, schools and institutes must clearly communicate that bullying or ragging is strictly prohibited, both in prospectuses and official guidelines, emphasizing that such acts will not go unnoticed or unpunished.

Every institute is required to form an anti-bullying or anti-ragging committee responsible for creating and reviewing prevention strategies, conducting awareness and training sessions for staff, students, and parents, and monitoring incidents closely.

Names and contact details of committee members must be displayed prominently within the premises.

Residential institutions are instructed to appoint sentinels, monitors, or peer educators from prefectorial boards or trained student volunteers to prevent and monitor bullying behaviour.

The guidelines also stress educating students on human rights, democratic values, respect for diversity, equality, and personal dignity.

Schools are encouraged to organise campaigns, training sessions, and activities to raise awareness among students, staff, and parents.

Parents are urged to actively participate by reporting incidents confidentially and attending orientation programmes.

Institutions are required to enforce penalties based on the severity of misconduct, which can include oral or written warnings, suspension, withholding of results, fines, expulsion, or transfer to another institution in exceptional cases.

A confidential reporting system, such as complaint or suggestion boxes, must also be established and monitored regularly.

Heads of institutions must submit detailed reports on any bullying or ragging incidents, including the actions taken, to the Education Commissioner’s office.

Education Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona described the directives as a “systematic response” to a complex issue, highlighting the need for collective responsibility in ensuring students’ safety. “These guidelines aim to foster a safe and respectful learning environment, focusing on prevention, awareness, and swift action against incidents,” he said.

The Education Minister is visiting Sainik School in Niglok, East Siang district, to assess the situation following the death of a 12-year-old student on campus on 1 November.