Dubai: The Ministry of Education has appointed 180 specialists to monitor the behavioural trends among school students across the United Arab Emirates.
The monitors have been tasked to foster positive behaviours, instil the spirit of citizenship, national belonging and allegiance to the leadership.
The “behaviour monitors” will especially enhance students’ awareness and protect them from school bullying.
A field study conducted by the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah revealed that 33 per cent of students surveyed had faced bullying in some form – which includes physical violence, kicking, insults, mocking, posting “weak” students’ photos on the social media and getting threats.
Sharjah University Students’ Affairs Dean Dr. Salama Al-Rahoumi took part in the study which covered a random sample of 1,309 male and female students enrolled at seven schools in Sharjah.
The study also revealed that more than a third of male and female students either committed acts of bullying or were subjected to physical or verbal bullying.
Insults and verbal abuse accounted for 54% of the cases of bullying, internet-bullying 14%, kicking and other aggressions 10%, threats 9% and stolen belongings 4%.
According to the study, boys are subjected more to physical violence, while insults and verbal abuse are more common among school girls.
The study showed that school corridors and closed areas are the most insecure places for students who suffer bullying.