A police officer from the People's Procuratorate of Guang'an district in Guang'an, Southwest China's Sichuan Province, explains to students from a primary school how to resist school bullying on March 21, 2024. Photo: VCG

China's Ministry of Education recently issued a notice outlining specific work requirements for preventing and managing campus violence and student bullying in primary and secondary schools, including establishing a student bullying management committee to identify bullying behaviors and handle them according to laws and regulations.

According to a notice released by the Ministry of Education on Friday, primary and secondary schools are required to detail school rules and regulations in addition to defining corresponding disciplinary measures for different bullying behaviors.

Schools must publish bullying prevention hotlines, email addresses, and contact information of the deputy principal in charge of legal affairs and the school leaders responsible for safety. They should implement a first-call responsibility system for handling reports.

Each class must organize at least two themed class meetings per semester to educate students on bullying prevention. Video surveillance should cover all non-classroom areas such as hallways, rooftops, and storage rooms, according to the notice.

The notice also said that local education administrative departments and schools should regularly conduct specialized training on bullying prevention for all faculty members and parents to enhance their ability to identify, respond to, and intervene in bullying situations. Special attention should be given to children in difficult situations, ensuring timely provision of life care, psychological counseling, and family education guidance.

The notice also emphasized that local education administrative departments should develop and study practical guidance manuals for preventing and managing bullying and violence among primary and secondary school students. The departments should also strengthen educational guidance for teachers and parents and provide schools with necessary guidance and support in areas such as legal consultation, psychological counseling, and behavior correction.

Multiple departments in China have taken measures to tackle juvenile delinquency. For example, in April, China's top legislature vowed to strengthen discipline for minors engaged in bullying, and those with serious offenses will be sent to specialized educational institutions, or subjected to public security penalties or criminal charges.

Global Times