Educational Ombudsperson Calls for Review of Penalties for Teacher Bullying

During her appearance on Ukrainian Radio, Nadia Leshchyk, the Educational Ombudsperson, voiced significant concern over the issue of bullying within schools, especially as it pertains to teachers. She pointed out that the existing fines for bullying, which currently range from 1,700 to 3,500 hryvnias, require a thorough review. Leshchyk stressed the importance of increasing parental accountability for failing to fulfill their responsibilities in raising children.

"We need to reconsider the penalties for bullying, which are currently only 1,700 to 3,500 hryvnias. It is also essential to strengthen the responsibility of parents for not meeting their obligations. We need to educate children on peacefully resolving conflicts. This is something we are severely lacking in educational institutions," Leshchyk emphasized during her speech.

The Educational Ombudsperson also urged teachers not to remain silent about instances of bullying, which can manifest in various forms, including physical, psychological, or cyber violence from students, as well as the use of obscene language. She highlighted the importance of documenting such incidents.

"If bullying occurs among students, the teacher must file a report with the school principal or the National Police. The report should clearly outline the facts: specifying the date and time, the individual who perpetrated the violence, and so forth. It is crucial to avoid emotional language and evaluative judgments," Leshchyk explained. She also noted that the school principal plays a vital role in addressing such situations, as they are responsible for convening a commission to investigate the incident of violence.

It is worth recalling that, according to information from Ukrinform, educational institutions often attempt to keep incidents of bullying—both among students and teachers—under wraps. This raises concerns, as the concealment of such situations can lead to their further proliferation and complicate the resolution of the issue.

It is essential for educational establishments not only to respond to cases of bullying but also to actively engage in their prevention. Leshchyk emphasized that teaching children to resolve conflicts peacefully is a key element in the fight against bullying. She called for collaborative efforts from all participants in the educational process to create a safe learning environment.

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