Bullying in schools is one of the most acute problems of modern education in Ukraine and the world. In the context of heightened social tensions and difficult life circumstances, Ukrainian schoolchildren are increasingly facing cases of psychological and physical violence from their peers. According to UNICEF, 67% of children aged 11 to 17 in Ukraine have experienced bullying at school. This high level of bullying has a negative impact on children’s mental health, socialisation and academic achievement. The consequences of bullying can be devastating, including lowered self-esteem, depression, and sometimes even suicide.
This problem needs to be addressed immediately, and not only schools, but also parents and government institutions play a key role. The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MES) is actively working to create mechanisms to counteract bullying. One of these tools is a new service designed to quickly report cases of bullying in schools. This service allows children and their parents to quickly and effectively seek help in the event of bullying. Below, we will look at how the service works and how you can use it.
How to report bullying through the MES service
The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine has launched a special service for reporting bullying, which makes the reporting process as simple and accessible as possible for all participants in the educational process. This service has become part of the state electronic education management system AIKOM and can be accessed through a special page on the website.
Steps to submit an application:
- Go to the anti-bullying section page
- First of all, you need to go to the website of the state electronic system AICOM and find the anti-bullying section. There is a special button ‘Report bullying’ that you should click to start the process.
- Register or log in to your account
- After that, you need to register in the system or log in to an existing account. This makes the reporting process easier and allows you to remain anonymous if you wish.
- Filling in the application form
- The user will be asked to fill out a questionnaire where they can describe the incident of bullying. This step allows you to submit a report both anonymously (for children) and with personal data (for adults).
- Confirmation and submission of the report
- After filling out the form, click the ‘Continue’ button and confirm your application. It is important that the application is immediately sent to the school principal, who must respond to it within a day.
How applications are considered
After submitting a report, the school principal is obliged to convene a special committee to investigate the bullying incident. This commission may include representatives of the school administration, teachers, psychologists, and, if necessary, law enforcement officers.
If the complaint was filed anonymously, the school should still consider it, but the issue may be more difficult to resolve due to the lack of specific information about the parties to the conflict. In cases where the child provides his or her details, or the application is submitted by parents, this greatly simplifies the process, as it allows to find out all the circumstances of the conflict and take the necessary measures.
Anonymity and police involvement
An important feature of this service is the possibility of filing anonymous reports. Children who are afraid of harassment or consequences after filing a complaint may not provide their personal data. However, this only applies to children, as parents or guardians cannot file an anonymous report. If the case requires the involvement of the police, it is recommended that contact information be provided to enable effective cooperation with law enforcement.
MES recommendations for parents and educators
The Ministry of Education and Science has also provided guidance on how parents and educators can respond to bullying. It is important to act immediately when a child becomes a victim of bullying, involving not only the school but also the family. Only by working together can we create a safe environment for children’s learning and development.Bullying is a serious problem that requires a comprehensive approach. The introduction of a complaint service is an important step in the fight against bullying in schools, but it is also important to continue working to promote tolerance, respect for others and emotional support among children.
The new service from the Ministry of Education and Science designed to combat bullying in schools is an important tool that gives children and parents the opportunity to quickly report incidents of bullying. It simplifies communication between the school and the victims, and allows for the prompt involvement of the relevant authorities to resolve conflicts. However, this service is only part of an overall approach to tackling bullying. To effectively combat this problem, comprehensive measures are needed at the level of the entire educational system, including raising awareness among students and teachers, implementing emotional support programmes and creating a safe school environment.
The launch of this service is a significant step forward in creating such conditions, but society must continue to join forces to ensure that no child feels isolated or defenceless in the face of bullying.
