The Federal Government’s decision to intensify the implementation of the National Policy on Anti-Bullying to ensure every Nigerian child learns in a safe environment is a commendable step. The initiative offers reassurance to victims of bullying while sending a strong warning to perpetrators that such behaviour will no longer be tolerated.
One of the strategies proposed by the government is the familiar security slogan, “If you see something, say something.” While the principle is laudable, its effectiveness depends on the willingness of victims and witnesses to report abuse without fear of intimidation or victimisation.
In many cases, school authorities may be tempted to suppress complaints to protect the reputation of their institutions and maintain parents’ confidence.
When school authorities fail victims
A parent’s experience some years ago illustrates this concern. She noticed that her son had suddenly developed an intense dislike for school and repeatedly begged to be transferred elsewhere. Every school day became a struggle as he cried uncontrollably whenever it was time to leave home.
Concerned, she visited the school to discuss the matter with the head teacher. As she approached the office, she saw a young boy kneeling under the scorching sun as punishment. Feeling sorry for the child, she resolved to challenge the school management over what she considered an excessive disciplinary measure.
To her shock, the boy was her own son.
As she stood nearby, she overheard the head teacher telling another teacher that her son had fought with the proprietress’ son once again. At that moment, everything became clear. Her son had been consistently treated as a second-class pupil, while the school owner’s child enjoyed special protection.
Following a thorough interrogation of both boys, it emerged that the proprietress’ son had been the aggressor all along, repeatedly bullying the other child until he eventually retaliated.
He would then alert teachers, who invariably believed his version of events. Out of fear, none of the other pupils was willing to testify against him.
The emotional and academic toll on the victim eventually forced his parents to withdraw him from the school.
This raises important questions. Who protects children when those entrusted with their welfare become part of the problem? Who ensures justice when school authorities favour children from influential families? While reporting abuse is encouraged, victims must also be assured that their complaints will be investigated fairly and without prejudice.
Hunger also makes schools unsafe
Bullying is not the only factor that makes schools unsafe. Hunger is another major challenge, particularly in boarding schools.
Schools that provide adequate and nutritious meals significantly reduce many behavioural problems associated with deprivation. Where feeding is inadequate, authorities should ensure the availability of functional tuck shops where students can buy approved snacks between meals.
Many former boarding school students attribute some of their misconduct to persistent hunger rather than deliberate indiscipline.
“I would have enjoyed school better if we had a shop where I could buy what I wanted within healthy limits,” said Joy Bali. “Most of the offences I committed were because of hunger, not because I enjoyed breaking the rules.”
Rita Bot shared a similar experience: “I jumped the fence several times just to buy bread, akara or fried yam,” she recalled. “We were not allowed to bring provisions, and the school shop opened only once a week. Most times, we couldn’t study because we were hungry, so one of us would sneak out to buy food for everyone.”
Others echoed the same concerns.
“If there was any reason I didn’t enjoy secondary school, it was because of hunger,” said Habu, a view supported by Nanchin Bulus, Sarah Levi and Joseph Mangai.
Sarah Levi recalled selling personal belongings simply to survive. “Imagine selling your shoes, bucket, earrings and eventually your blanket just to feed yourself,” she said, adding that the meals served in her Bokkos school were inadequate.
Naanshep Lan recounted how students harvested produce from their teachers’ farms and secretly cooked with electric cookers. On some occasions, they even caught stray chickens that wandered near the dormitories to prepare pepper soup.
“If we didn’t do that, we wouldn’t survive,” he said, noting that although the food tasted good, the portions were far too small.
A wholistic approach to school safety
Hunger remains one of the major drivers of misconduct in many boarding schools that prohibit students from keeping provisions while failing to provide accessible tuck shops. Under such conditions, students may resort to stealing, sneaking out of school or engaging in other risky behaviour simply to satisfy a basic need.
Schools that know their meals are inadequate should establish well-managed tuck shops where students can purchase approved food items. Hunger, not the availability of snacks, is often the real source of temptation.
As the Federal Government intensifies its anti-bullying campaign to make schools safer, it must also recognise hunger as a serious threat to education. A child overwhelmed by hunger is vulnerable, distracted and more likely to engage in dangerous behaviour.
Creating truly safe schools, therefore, requires more than tackling bullying. It also demands addressing the conditions that undermine students’ welfare, dignity and ability to learn.
Only then can the goal of providing a safe and supportive learning environment for every Nigerian child become a reality.