School Distress: 52 Cases of Bullying Recorded from January to Date
Title: School Distress: 52 Cases of Bullying Recorded from January to Date
Content:
In light of the rising emotional distress in schools, school psychologists are intensifying their efforts to support students. The Ministry of Education states that no child will be left to face distress alone: a comprehensive system has been established to prevent, listen, and assist.
Schools are facing an increase in emotional distress situations among students. Confronted with this troubling reality, the Ministry of Education, through Dr. Vedhiyen Moonsamy, Acting Director of the Health & Wellness Directorate, is ramping up its efforts to provide appropriate psychological support.
He emphasizes that when a student loses a peer, school psychologists intervene: “A safe space is created within the school to allow students to express their emotions without fear. Sessions can be individual or group-based, and the stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance—are explained in a manner suitable for the children’s age.”
Additionally, teachers are trained to address the topic in class and identify signs of distress. Parents receive advice on how to support their children at home and are informed about referral procedures if needed. If a student requires more in-depth support, they are directed to specialized services.
Approaching Suicide with Tact
The topic of suicide is handled with extreme care. “The goal is to create a trusting environment where students can express themselves freely. Psychologists emphasize that suicide is associated with great suffering and that seeking help is an act of courage. The discussion is tailored to the age of the students, free from judgment or blame,” insists Dr. Vedhiyen Moonsamy.
Peers are also encouraged to speak to a trusted adult if they notice signs of distress in their friends. Referral procedures to specialized units like LifePlus or hospitals are explained to upper-grade students.
Signs to Monitor
Teachers and parents are urged to pay attention to emotional or behavioral changes: frequent crying, aggression, isolation, declining academic performance, concerning remarks about death, self-harm, weight loss, or appetite changes. “Even if these signs do not always indicate an imminent danger, early intervention can prevent the worsening of suffering,” he advises.
School psychologists work closely with teachers, school administrators, and parents. The latter are made aware of the importance of open dialogue with their children and recognizing signs of distress. Social workers conduct home visits to support families and provide practical advice.
Strengthened Support Systems
To prevent crisis situations, the Ministry has established several structures:
- The “Student Care and Counselling Desk” in state colleges, run by volunteer teachers.
- “Counselling Units” or “Listening Services,” present in 62 colleges, run by psychologists and social workers.
- Class discussions on suicide prevention, mental health, and coping strategies.
- Breathing techniques, sports, and other activities to help students manage their emotions.
Prevention from a Young Age
An awareness program has been introduced starting from Grade 4, focusing on bodily safety and emotional regulation. Ongoing campaigns address topics like anger management, discipline, and challenging behaviors. Schools collaborate with partners like the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Gender, and the Family Protection Brigade. Additionally, simple yet effective tools, such as bookmarks and posters, are distributed in schools across Mauritius, Rodrigues, and Agalega to promote psychological well-being and raise awareness about bullying.
Stress Management
In this third term, students are actively preparing for their final exams. To support them during this crucial stage, the discussions emphasize exam preparation and stress management. These sessions aim to help students adopt suitable organizational methods, build their self-confidence, and learn to channel their anxiety constructively. The approach seeks to equip them to face assessments calmly and effectively.
Meanwhile, a series of discussions will be organized for parents of children entering Grade 1 in January 2026. These meetings aim to ease the transition from pre-primary education to primary schooling, helping parents understand the changes their children will face and prepare to support them in this new phase.
Innovative Solutions Against School Bullying
Since January, 52 cases of school bullying have been recorded in primary and secondary institutions across the country. Dr. Arvin Authelsingh, an education consultant, highlights that in light of the increasing cases, it is imperative to adopt innovative solutions beyond traditional approaches to ensure a safe and conducive educational environment for each child.
“The foundations of the fight against bullying lie in raising awareness among students, educational staff, and parents, as well as training teachers to detect and manage conflicts. A clear and fair disciplinary framework, combined with accessible psychological support for victims, remains essential. Mauritius has already laid important groundwork with the Children's Act of 2020, but now is the time for innovation,” he asserts.
The education consultant proposes measures adapted to the Mauritian context.
He mentions integrated digital platforms: “By developing a secure and anonymous mobile app or web platform, students would be able to report bullying incidents, access psychological and legal support resources, and engage with learning modules on digital citizenship and prevention.”
Dr. Arvin Authelsingh also discusses restorative justice and peer mediation: “The focus would be on repairing harm and reconciliation, rather than just punishment. Trained students in mediation would help their peers resolve conflicts, fostering autonomy and responsibility.”
He adds that it is crucial to systematically integrate the development of socio-emotional skills (empathy, emotion management, problem-solving) into the school curriculum. “These skills are vital for building healthy relationships and preventing aggressive behavior,” he states.
According to him, special attention should be given to children with special educational needs, who are often more vulnerable to bullying. This involves specialized training for staff, strengthened inclusion programs, and adapted communication tools to enable them to report abuse and feel safe.
Dr. Arvin Authelsingh advocates for exploring the ethical use of AI to analyze anonymized data (interactions on educational platforms, keywords) to identify early signs of bullying. This would allow for timely and targeted interventions, potentially through partnerships with local tech companies.
