ACCF raises concern regarding serious bullying incidents in schools

ACCF raises concern regarding serious bullying incidents in schools

By Iva Danford
Wednesday 07/04/2021

The Accident Compensation Commission has raised serious concerns about bullying incidents in schools after it paid out a total of $36,000 to students who sustained injuries as a result of assaults.

Commission CEO Parvez Akbar says some of the examples of school assaults are that a student lost his teeth after being punched by another student, a student was punched by his classmate when he confronted him for taking his stationary, a student was punched by his classmate after passing a remark in the classroom, a student was intentionally tackled by another student and a student was blocked and punched in the stomach while wanting to wash his hands.

Akbar says a student threw stones at another student causing injuries to that particular student.

He says two students had a heated argument over a toothbrush and the other student poked his eye while another student fractured his arm when a student pushed him down a slope.

Akbar has raised serious concerns and says all forms of bullying including physical, verbal and cyber bullying must be addressed.

Akbar says that this is irrespective of where the bullying is taking place, including schools and workplaces.

He says 28 applications amounting to $181,500 has been paid for serious injuries in schools.

Akbar says since January 2019, ACCF has received a total of 384 notifications and 168 applications for school accidents resulting in injuries.

He says schools should develop and implement robust bullying prevention and response policies.

Akbar says research suggests that bullying should be viewed as a socio-ecological phenomenon and not just an interpersonal interaction between the bully and the target.

He says this view looks beyond the individual and acknowledges the multiple risk and protective factors that exist within individuals, peer groups, families, schools, communities and the wider social environment.

Akbar says we need to explore how the community around students may influence their behaviour.

He says the psychological impacts of bullying on both the victim and the bully can last a lifetime so it is important to place emphasis on education and awareness to prevent bullying from occurring in the first place.

FEATURE NEWS
Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, dies aged 88
Pope Francis, the reforming head of the Catholic Church who sought to modernise the pastoral and public priorities of the Vatican, has died at the age...
10 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
47 people in Fiji have hemophilia, a rare blood disorder
There are 47 people in Fiji living with hemophilia, a serious genetic bleeding condition that can lead to life-threatening complications. This was ...
13 hours ago

Families flock to My Suva Park for picnic to send off long Easter weekend
As the Easter weekend comes to an end, many people gathered at My Suva Park today with their families to spend the holiday before another work week ...
13 hours ago

Frances Masaurua overcomes 5-year challenges to graduate with Diploma in Nautical Science
Despite the challenges of working in a male-dominated field, Navatu, Cakaudrove woman Frances Tuinasakea Masaurua did not let that deter her spirits ...
13 hours ago

Ex-police officers brought in to address issue of pending investigations - Tudravu
In a bid to address the issue of pending investigations in the Fiji Police Force, the Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu has come up with the ...
14 hours ago

Tudravu rules out political links to recent temple sacrileges
The Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu has ruled out any political affiliations that are leading to some of the recent sacrileges around the ...
15 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Top Interventional Cardiologist Dr Kapadia on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The show will focus on health services in the country. The former Marist Brothers Primary and High School student who has been practising medicine ...
15 days ago

Supervisor of Elections on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The interview focus on preparations for the 2026 general elections, voter related issues, electoral laws, the 2022 glitch and the municipal council ...
15 days ago

Swire Shipping Fijian Drua Coach, Glen Jackson on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Swire Shipping Fijian Drua Coach, Glen Jackson appeared on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan from the Drua base in Nadi. Coming off ...
19 days ago

TOP