The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has called for stronger measures to protect learners from bullying and violence in schools, warning that one in every three learners experiences bullying each month.
The organisation also estimates that one in ten learners faces cyberbullying, highlighting the growing challenges children and young people encounter both in classrooms and online spaces.
In a message marking the International Day against Violence and Bullying at School, Including Cyberbullying, UNESCO urged governments, schools, teachers, parents and other stakeholders to strengthen efforts to create safe learning environments.
The organisation said bullying remains a major concern for learners, with its effects extending beyond the immediate incidents to their education, relationships and general wellbeing.
UNESCO emphasised the need to ensure that every learner can attend school, participate in lessons and pursue their education without fear of intimidation, harassment or violence.
As part of its call for action, the organisation identified teacher training as one of the key measures needed to address the problem.
It said teachers and other education personnel should be equipped with the skills to recognise bullying, respond appropriately to reported cases and support learners who experience violence.
Strengthening reporting systems was also highlighted as an important step in tackling the problem.
UNESCO called for mechanisms that allow learners to report incidents safely and receive appropriate assistance. Such systems can help schools identify cases early, respond to complaints and prevent further harm.
The organisation also drew attention to cyberbullying, which can expose learners to harassment through digital platforms, messaging applications and social media.
Unlike some forms of bullying that take place within school grounds, online harassment can follow learners beyond the classroom and into their homes. This makes digital safety an important part of efforts to protect children and young people.
UNESCO therefore called for stronger protection of learners in online spaces, alongside measures to promote responsible digital behaviour and ensure that children know where to seek help when targeted.
The International Day against Violence and Bullying at School, Including Cyberbullying, provides an opportunity to highlight the experiences of affected learners and encourage coordinated action from education authorities and communities.
The campaign also seeks to remind schools that preventing bullying requires more than responding after an incident has occurred. It involves creating environments where learners feel respected, supported and confident that their concerns will be taken seriously.
UNESCO's message comes as schools and education stakeholders continue to confront the challenge of ensuring that learning institutions remain safe spaces for all children.
The organisation stressed that every learner deserves an opportunity to learn and thrive in safety, calling for sustained action to end bullying and violence both inside and outside school environments.
It urged stakeholders to work together through teacher training, effective reporting structures and stronger online safeguards to ensure that no learner is left exposed to abuse or intimidation.
