In an unprecedented nationwide campaign, Egypt’s Ministry of Education has launched a concerted effort to combat bullying within schools. This initiative, which integrates legal, educational, and social media strategies, is part of a broader vision to cultivate a safer and more respectful learning environment.
Central to this initiative is a directive for schools to incorporate anti-bullying messages into their daily radio broadcasts, reminding students that bullying is a criminal act with serious consequences under the law. This move is designed to instill awareness and promote a culture of respect and tolerance among students.
Additionally, schools are empowered through the active involvement of social workers and psychologists. These professionals are now organizing workshops for parents, focusing on the detrimental effects of bullying and emphasizing the pivotal role families play in encouraging empathy and respect among children.
The Public Relations and Media Department of the ministry is extending these efforts to digital platforms, launching campaigns on social media to underscore the adverse impacts of bullying and the stringent penalties violators face. According to a report by the Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Team, integrating media campaigns significantly boosts public awareness and can lead to a 20% reduction in bullying incidents (GEM Report, 2022).
Members of the Parliamentary Education and Scientific Research Committee have lauded this initiative. MP Hani Abaza described it as a transformative step that addresses a persistent problem affecting not only children but adults as well. “Instilling good values in students through these campaigns helps shape a more respectful generation,” he remarked.
Another committee member, MP Saboura El Sayed, commended the initiative’s focus on media involvement, acknowledging that while it may not completely eliminate bullying, it could markedly decrease its occurrence in schools. MP Gehan El-Bayoumi highlighted the vital role of school radio programmes in enhancing students’ ethical values and teamwork skills, contributing positively to anti-bullying efforts.
This initiative builds on previous collaborations, such as the “I Am Against Bullying” campaign with UNICEF and the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood. Legislative updates have also been pivotal; in 2020, President Abdel Fattah El Sisi approved Law No. 189, introducing stricter penalties for bullying, including a minimum six-month prison sentence and fines ranging from LE 10,000 to LE 30,000.
The legislative adjustments provide a clear framework for what constitutes bullying. Article 309 of the Penal Code now defines it as any verbal, physical, or exploitative act targeting an individual’s perceived vulnerabilities, intending to intimidate or socially marginalize them.
As Egypt propels these initiatives forward, there is a collective hope that combined legal reforms, educational programs, and public awareness campaigns will foster a culture of inclusivity and respect, significantly diminishing bullying’s impact on society.
