Basra school gets creative to tackle bullying and violence

BASRA — A rise in bullying and violence in some schools has prompted an innovative response from Al-Mutham Al-Tammar Primary School for Boys in Basrah’s Al-Faw district. The students recently performed theatrical sketches aimed at illustrating how to reduce bullying and violence, an initiative that has positively impacted student behavior.

“The idea was well-received by the students and has significantly contributed to changing their behavior,” school principal Mohammed Jassim told 964media. “We plan to organize an awareness campaign involving both students and teachers to curb bullying and conflicts. If students face challenges handling situations, they can always approach the administration for support.”

Jassim explained that the initiative came after the school administration observed an increase in violence and bullying among students in classrooms and the schoolyard. “We decided to implement an idea that highlights the harms of bullying and its effects on society. We performed several theatrical scenes in front of the students in the schoolyard, and they found it engaging. We noticed a tangible change in school dynamics, with students demonstrating reduced incidents of this behavior.”

The planned awareness campaign will empower students and teachers with identification cards to assist in addressing bullying and conflicts within the school. “If they encounter difficulties managing situations, they will have the option to report them to the administration,” Jassim added.

Rowa Haider, a teacher and organizer of the campaign, emphasized the initiative’s success. “This festival at Al-Mutham Al-Tammar Primary School for Boys is the first of its kind here. It aims to address the growing issue of bullying and violence in schools, which leads to negative effects like psychological and physical harm to students,” she said.

Through student-performed plays, the campaign has achieved measurable results. “We’ve managed to reduce the occurrence of bullying by 50% while raising awareness and educating students and attendees,” Haider noted.

Bullying in Iraqi schools has emerged as a significant public health concern, with studies indicating a substantial prevalence among students. Research conducted in the university of Baghdad revealed that 39.1% of students reported being victims of bullying.

Another study at the same university focusing on primary schools in Baghdad found that bullying is prevalent among children, with various associated factors and resultant effects.