Ministry orders schools to step up anti-bullying measures

The Ministry of Education said on Friday that each primary and middle school should establish an anti-bullying committee and ensure camera surveillance coverage in corridors and other acceptable places on campus.

As communities have launched campaigns to tackle campus bullying and violence, the ministry laid out specific requirements in a notice published on its website.

It said the anti-bullying committee will be responsible for determining bullying acts and handling them in accordance with regulations.

Schools should also formulate rules that specify disciplinary measures or different kinds of bullying behavior. An anti-bullying hotline and an e-mail address should also be made available.

Each class should hold at least two anti-bullying sessions per semester and teach students on preventing bullying.

Surveillance cameras should be set up in corridors, rooftops, storage rooms, and other acceptable venues, it added.

Meanwhile, local education authorities and schools should train faculty and staff members, and parents to improve their ability to identify and intervene in school bullying.

Local education departments should also draw up guidelines to address campus bullying and violence, it added.