Tamale: A project tailored to incorporate the use of animations and participatory videos by leveraging on the concept of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) has been launched in Tamale. The project, titled 'Reducing Bullying Behaviour and Victimization Among Young People', aims to educate young individuals on self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, relationship skills, and social awareness to enable them to effectively deal with issues of bullying.
According to Ghana News Agency, the project is being implemented by Inspire to Act, an NGO, and supported by Being - an International Mental Health Initiative. It is hosted by Grand Challenges Canada and funded in part by Foundation Botnar, the UK's Department of Health and Social Care, using UK Aid through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Science for Africa Foundation, Orygen, United for Global Mental Health, and the Government of Canada. The initiative will be implemented in 10 Junior High Schools and 10 Senior High Schools across four districts in the Northern Region, including Tamale, Yendi, Gushegu, and Kpandai.
Alhaji Abdul-Rashid Imoro, Executive Director of Inspire to Act, stated during the launch that the project seeks to provide a comprehensive framework for addressing bullying in schools. It plans to recruit and form Anti-Bullying Clubs targeting 1,800 young people aged between 10 and 24. Additionally, the project will train 80 teachers and 80 student peer educators to facilitate SEL lessons.
The initiative will also involve 1,440 parents and caregivers to observe young people's behaviour at home and provide feedback on the impact of the project on their attitudes towards bullying. Alhaji Imoro underscored the importance of including peer educators to foster open discussions and create a supportive community among students. He called for the support of various stakeholders in the implementing districts to ensure the project's success.
Professor Issah Mohammed, a Senior Lecturer at the University for Development Studies, praised Inspire to Act and its partners for the initiative. He highlighted the need for concerted efforts to address the bullying cases recorded among students, noting that the project offers a strategic approach to significantly reduce bullying behaviour and victimization, ultimately promoting a safer and more conducive environment for effective teaching and learning.
