GNRC–Bhutan through Youth Advocacy Network Bhutan conducted a workshop dubbed ‘Caring Schools Leadership Workshop,’ from 24th to 26th March 2019 to develop awareness, change attitudes, and build commitment to promote coexistence and prevent peer bullying in schools. Seventy (70) participants including children, teachers, parents and caregivers attended the workshop held in Yangchen Gatshel Middle Secondary School, Chamgang, Thimphu Bhutan. Representatives from the National Commission for Women and Children (NCWC), Department of Youth and Sports (DYS), Thimphu Dzongkhag Education Sector and the Ministry of Education (MOE) graced the event.
Caring Schools Leadership Workshop is an on-site capacity building and advocacy platform that offers the selected representatives from the school opportunity to learn and implement comprehensive social and emotional life skills to handle different situations in life and also build their courage to speak/express their feelings. It also aims to build the capacity of young girls and boys to recognize the different kinds of violence and be agents of change in their schools and communities.
During the three-day workshop, the need to eliminate peer bullying in schools and at homes was widely emphasized. Critical topics such as causes of bullying, effects of bullying, the bully and the bystander, were covered during the awareness program. Children and youth were taught about their role on ending bullying including, creating awareness and talking about the problem.
Participants shared their understanding on the predominant form of bullying and offered solutions to reduce and end it. They also presented their action plans following the SMART technique to follow through their plans. The action plans included the dramatization on themes of bullying, creating posters, delivering speeches and writing monthly newsletter/magazine on bullying and its impacts.
The workshop concluded with school representatives committing to end bullying in schools and follow-up on the children’s promises to be ambassadors of peace.
