ADDRESSING BULLYING AND DISCRIMINATION IN SCHOOLS

Abstract

The present article discusses the concept, types, causes and consequences of discrimination and bullying. Discrimination is unintentional different treatment towards an individual or a group based on some prejudices and negative attitudes regarding the age, gender, race, colour, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, marital status, pregnancy, language, ethnicity, or disability of the target individual or group. Bullying on the other hand, is a deliberate hurtful and aggressive behaviour inflicted repeatedly on an individual or a group of individuals. Both discrimination and bullying violate basic human rights, and when carried out in schools, become detrimental to the stakeholders, and especially to the tender minds of the students. The present article discusses the different forms in which discrimination and bullying may be manifested in schools and also suggests some positive measures that can be taken to prevent and remediate the same.