Breaking the Silence: Confronting Bullying in Schools to Build Safer, Kinder Classrooms

Breaking the Silence: Confronting Bullying in Schools to Build Safer, Kinder Classrooms- Ekangna 

Bullying is an issue troubling schools worldwide and continues to impact millions of students each day. It is far more than the rare scuffle or argument between students. Bullying is often ongoing harassment, ostracism, or even violence, leaving emotional and psychological scars that may also be physical. With nearly 260 million students, India has the worlds highest school-age population, making it crucial to examine bullying in the Indian school system and work towards safer, more compassionate classrooms.

Studies show bullying is far too common among Indian students. A review found that nearly 42 percent of children in grades five to eight face bullying regularly. A UNICEF study noted that at least 36 percent of Indian students are victims of harassment and bullying in schools

, slightly higher than the global average where about one in three adolescents aged thirteen to fifteen say they have been bullied. Other studies reveal similar patterns. In Chandigarh, more than a quarter of students reported facing bullying, including cyberbullying. In Gurugram, one out of every four teenagers between fifteen and nineteen said they had experienced cyberbullying, mostly on WhatsApp, Instagram, and Snapchat. A Delhi-based study with middle school students showed that eight percent admitted to cyberbullying others while seventeen percent said they had been victims themselves. Physical aggression and fights were also reported by twelve to seventeen percent of students. Another review showed wide variations across states, with cases ranging from just over three percent in Kerala to more than sixty percent among nursing students elsewhere. Clearly, bullying is widespread in both offline and online spaces.

The effects of bullying are very damaging. Victims are teased, excluded, or targeted through trolling and online abuse. Some even face physical harm. These experiences can leave students lonely, anxious, and depressed, and in tragic cases, may push them towards self-harm or suicide. Doctors at King George Medical University in Lucknow described cases where cyberbullying caused severe depression in children, leading them to stop eating, lose large amounts of weight, withdraw from families, and refuse to attend school. Mental health experts estimate that ten to fifteen percent of stress and depression cases among young people are directly connected to bullying, especially online. International studies also confirm that bullied children are at higher risk of developing post-traumatic stress, anxiety, poor sleep, aggressive behavior, and internet addiction. The damage is long-term, affecting education, confidence, and mental health.

Schools are often unequipped to deal with this. A study in Goa by NCERT in 2025 found that one-third of the states schools lacked an anti-bullying policy. Nearly thirty percent of children reported being physically struck by classmates. Such figures highlight the gap between the seriousness of the issue and the mechanisms in place to address it.

There have, however, been positive steps. The Ministry of Home Affairs launched the Cyber Crime Prevention Against Women and Children initiative, which includes a helpline and an online portal where students can report bullying anonymously. In 2018, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology started the Cyber Surakshit Bharat program to spread awareness about cyber safety. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has issued detailed guidelines for schools on handling bullying cases. Alongside these government initiatives, many NGOs and social organizations have started campaigns to educate both children and parents about bullying and encourage society to speak out against it.

Despite these steps, more is required. All schools must establish strong anti-bullying policies defining bullying in physical, emotional, and cyber forms. Committees of teachers, students, and counselors should monitor and act promptly in each case. Confidential reporting systems, such as complaint boxes or online forms, can help students report without fear of retaliation. Educators must be trained to recognize early warning signs like sudden withdrawal, declining grades, or behavior changes and intervene effectively. Students too can play a major role. Peer support groups, buddy systems, and student ambassador schemes can build inclusion and encourage students to stand up for one another.

Mental health support systems must be strengthened with trained counselors, safe spaces for pupils to talk, and regular awareness-building sessions for children and parents about the psychological impacts of bullying. Bullying in schools is not harmless teasing or a normal part of growing up. it is a serious issue that affects the safety, confidence, and happiness of millions of students. While India has made progress through policies and awareness campaigns, more consistent efforts are needed to break the silence around bullying.

By creating open conversations, building supportive systems in schools, involving families, and promoting empathy and respect, it is possible to create classrooms where every child feels secure and valued. If schools take these steps together, India can ensure that its young learners grow up in an environment that encourages learning, friendship, and compassion rather than fear.