Putting an end to school bullying - Egypt - Al-Ahram Weekly
A national campaign, Ashabi (My Friends), aimed at reducing violence among school children aged six to 18, was launched last week by the Ministry of Social Solidarity. The campaign, carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Education, the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood, the Egyptian Red Crescent, the Missing Children Initiative, the Healing House Centre, and the Welmnt platform, also aims at enhancing mental health awareness in educational and sports institutions, public squares and places where children and adolescents gather.
The campaign comes in response to increasing violence in schools with several cases of bullying making the headlines. Earlier this month, high school girls in a private school assaulted a younger sixth grade student, breaking her nose and leaving her with multiple head injuries. The girls were expelled.
According to a ministry press release, the campaign focuses on achieving a set of strategic goals, including increasing awareness of the dangers of violence among school children by highlighting its psychological and social effects on society, promoting a culture of peace and tolerance by providing effective tools for early detection of dangerous behaviour and instilling the values of tolerance and understanding among children.
The campaign also aims to provide practical and sustainable solutions, including training teachers, coaches and parents to deal with problems effectively and supporting mental health using innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence to monitor violent behaviour.
As part of its contribution to the campaign, Egyptian Red Crescent volunteers will provide field psychological support services. The Missing Children page will contribute to expanding the scope of the campaign through its digital platforms.
The campaign includes a variety of awareness and interactive activities, including training workshops targeting teachers and school administrators to provide them with conflict containment and rapid intervention skills when needed. Interactive activities are also being organised for children that focus on building emotional intelligence and encouraging a violence-free culture. The activities are accompanied by an intensive media campaign that highlights success stories and positive behavioural models to encourage healthy behaviour between children.
Psychologist and play therapist Esraa Farag, who has been holding sessions for parents and children with the aim of raising their awareness about bullying, welcomed the campaign. 'The phenomenon of violence has become widespread and prevalent in society — as if it is an acquired right — in reactions between children in their interaction with each other and in their communication with each other in a violent, harsh and loud manner,' Farag told Al-Ahram Weekly, adding that this could ultimately cause mental and behavioral disorders if not addressed.
Attention, observation and expression are among the most important pillars in dealing with children, Farag suggested. Parents must also observe their own behaviour since they are role models for their children, she stressed.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 6 February, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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Putting an end to school bullying - Egypt - Al-Ahram Weekly
A national campaign, Ashabi (My Friends), aimed at reducing violence among school children aged six to 18, was launched last week by the Ministry of Social Solidarity. The campaign, carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Education, the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood, the Egyptian Red Crescent, the Missing Children Initiative, the Healing House Centre, and the Welmnt platform, also aims at enhancing mental health awareness in educational and sports institutions, public squares and places where children and adolescents gather. The campaign comes in response to increasing violence in schools with several cases of bullying making the headlines. Earlier this month, high school girls in a private school assaulted a younger sixth grade student, breaking her nose and leaving her with multiple head injuries. The girls were expelled. According to a ministry press release, the campaign focuses on achieving a set of strategic goals, including increasing awareness of the dangers of violence among school children by highlighting its psychological and social effects on society, promoting a culture of peace and tolerance by providing effective tools for early detection of dangerous behaviour and instilling the values of tolerance and understanding among children. The campaign also aims to provide practical and sustainable solutions, including training teachers, coaches and parents to deal with problems effectively and supporting mental health using innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence to monitor violent behaviour. As part of its contribution to the campaign, Egyptian Red Crescent volunteers will provide field psychological support services. The Missing Children page will contribute to expanding the scope of the campaign through its digital platforms. The campaign includes a variety of awareness and interactive activities, including training workshops targeting teachers and school administrators to provide them with conflict containment and rapid intervention skills when needed. Interactive activities are also being organised for children that focus on building emotional intelligence and encouraging a violence-free culture. The activities are accompanied by an intensive media campaign that highlights success stories and positive behavioural models to encourage healthy behaviour between children. Psychologist and play therapist Esraa Farag, who has been holding sessions for parents and children with the aim of raising their awareness about bullying, welcomed the campaign. 'The phenomenon of violence has become widespread and prevalent in society — as if it is an acquired right — in reactions between children in their interaction with each other and in their communication with each other in a violent, harsh and loud manner,' Farag told Al-Ahram Weekly, adding that this could ultimately cause mental and behavioral disorders if not addressed. Attention, observation and expression are among the most important pillars in dealing with children, Farag suggested. Parents must also observe their own behaviour since they are role models for their children, she stressed. * A version of this article appears in print in the 6 February, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Short link:
