Voices that can’t be heard: The struggle of parents and students with bullying amidst school reputation concerns.

Bullying in school settings remains a constant problem of students’ growth and physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Nevertheless, the challenge of tackling bullying becomes harder when school authorities focus on upholding the school's reputation rather than the well-being of the students.

In this blog, speaking with my personal experiences, I would like to discuss the difficulties that parents and students encounter when dealing with bullying, the demands placed on school authorities to maintain a “good” school reputation, and the necessity for a change in priorities towards openness and the safety of students.

Various forms of bullying exist, and the effect can be detrimental. Ever wonder why bullies still stay at the same school after facing “consequences” of bullying? Parents and students anticipate quick and efficient assistance from school officials when seeking help. Regrettably, many schools prioritize safeguarding their image over dealing with the issue. This may lead to incidents being reported inaccurately, insufficient responses, and a lack of support for the victims. Educational institutions face great pressure to show they are secure and supportive places. This picture plays a key role in drawing in fresh students, obtaining finances, and nurturing the community's confidence. If incidents of bullying are made known to the public, it can damage a school's image and result in unwanted media coverage, fewer students enrolling, and possible financial consequences. Consequently, certain schools may minimize or conceal bullying incidents to evade these repercussions.

Parents and students find it deeply frustrating and harmful that the school prioritizes reputation instead of resolving issues. If a child tells of being bullied and the school does not effectively respond, the child may feel powerless and unheard of. Parents may feel also powerless and frustrated while witnessing their child's pain. The school's insufficient response can cause trust issues between parents and educators, hindering collaboration to solve the issue parents frequently encounter major challenges when attempting to ensure that schools are held responsible for addressing bullying. Schools might choose to minimize the seriousness of the issue, place responsibility on the victims, or claim that the incidents are isolated rather than connected to a larger problem. Parents may feel obligated to stay silent about instances of bullying to prevent causing more harm to the school's image in certain situations. The problem persists as victims lack support and bullies go unchecked due to the culture of silence and denial.

To effectively tackle the problem, schools must prioritize the students' well-being rather than their reputation. This necessitates a dedication to openness, responsibility, and taking action ahead of time. Schools must establish thorough anti-bullying policies with precise definitions of bullying, protocols for reporting incidents, and appropriate consequences and actions to address them. It is important to ensure that students, parents, and staff are informed about these policies so that everyone knows what to do in case of bullying.

Furthermore, schools need to offer ongoing training for educators and staff members on identifying and addressing instances of bullying. Establishing a safe space where students feel comfortable reporting bullying is essential. Achieving this goal is possible by utilizing anonymous reporting systems, counselling services, and peer support programs. Parents and students facing bullying experience even more difficulties when school officials prioritize protecting their image instead of addressing the problem. To establish a secure and nurturing atmosphere, schools need to change their priority from safeguarding their reputation to safeguarding their students. This includes enforcing clear policies, offering sufficient training, and promoting a culture of responsibility. Schools can only fulfill their role as safe places for learning and growth if they prioritize the well-being of students.