The Ministry of Education is set to launch a mobile app aimed at tackling social issues such as bullying in schools. Education Minister Sonia Parag revealed this initiative during a recent episode of the Starting Point podcast.
“We have an actual app that we created that we are going to formally launch, but it’s there already,” Minister Parag stated. Reports made through the app will be managed by the Health and Family Life Unit within the Ministry of Education. This unit will involve welfare officers, guidance counselors, parents, and both the victim and the alleged aggressor in the investigative process.
Minister Parag emphasized that the ultimate goal is to create safe environments for victims while also implementing measures to reform those who engage in bullying. “All we have right now is expelling a student, transferring a student, suspending a student so that a victim can be in a safer environment. But then what happens to that student? How do we make them into a constructive individual?” she questioned, highlighting the need for a holistic approach to the issue.
The anti-bullying app forms part of a broader government strategy that includes the use of social media to address these issues. Minister Parag noted that President Dr. Irfaan Ali has initiated a team of ministers and stakeholders to focus on this matter.
“We will hold a public consultation before the end of January to discuss how social media can impact our citizens and what measures we can take to safeguard them from damaging content,” she explained. The focus will also include addressing cyberbullying, which can severely affect individuals’ lives.
The Minister acknowledged that while the aim is to reduce bullying, it may not be possible to eliminate it entirely. “This doesn’t start in the schools. It starts in the communities; it starts in the homes… We must involve everyone—parents, welfare officers, schools, and community leaders,” she added.
In November of last year, the Ministry of Education officially launched an anti-bullying campaign in response to several reported incidents of bullying and fighting in schools across the country. The upcoming app and comprehensive strategy reflect the government’s commitment to fostering a safer educational environment for all students.
