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| Bayu Hendro Wicaksono, S.Pd., M.Ed., Ph.D. (Photo : Istimewa) |
Lately, cases of bullying have been on the rise, especially in the school environment. Not infrequently, it became the focus of public attention. Ironically, educational institutions, which should ideally be safe spaces for students, have turned into frightening places.
This phenomenon has caught the attention of Bayu Hendro Wicaksono, S.Pd., M.Ed., Ph.D., the Vice Dean III of the Faculty of Education at Muhammadiyah University of Malang (UMM). According to him, the increasing bullying incidents pose a regression to the progress of education. These cases directly affirm that some groups still lack an understanding of appropriate cultural communication.
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Bullying often appears as casual jokes made among peers. However, these seemingly innocent actions can have serious consequences. "Victims of bullying can suffer painful psychological or emotional wounds. These impacts can be long-lasting as they affect their long-term memory," he emphasized.
According to Bayu, efforts to prevent bullying can begin by improving the school atmosphere and involving teachers as positive communication role models. Additionally, rule enforcement should be firm without putting extra pressure on the students.
There are several aspects that schools should focus on to reduce bullying incidents. Firstly, communicative and collaborative education integrated into the curriculum is essential. This is done to instill a deeper understanding of effective communication. Secondly, critical thinking forms the foundation for developing a healthy mindset.
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"Students are taught not to accept information at face value, but to analyze it and understand various perspectives before making decisions," the English Language Program lecturer added.
Bayu also highlighted the importance of implementing the concept of child-friendly schools in line with government policies. Unfortunately, many schools have not adopted this approach on a large scale. According to him, the current education curriculum is becoming more detailed, the number of subjects is increasing, and the pressure to excel academically is rising. Consequently, the burden on students is increasing.
In conclusion, Bayu emphasized that creating a supportive educational environment is crucial, not only in terms of academics but also in terms of the physical and mental well-being of students. "Through this, schools can become safe and productive spaces, guiding healthy development for every student," he concluded. (lai/wil/fajr)
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