Educational Institutions Attempt to Conceal Cases of Bullying Involving Students and Teachers, Says Ombudsman

Nadia Leshchyk, the educational ombudsman, has raised alarms regarding the tendency of educational institutions to downplay or conceal cases of bullying. In a recent comment to Ukrinform, she emphasized that this issue encompasses not only instances of bullying occurring between students but also cases where teachers themselves become perpetrators. Leshchyk pointed out that when educators are found to be the aggressors, they often resign voluntarily or reach an agreement to leave. However, she noted that in some situations, school administrators do impose disciplinary actions, such as reprimands, and in certain cases, dismissals for immoral conduct.

"I support such prompt and effective responses because delaying action only exacerbates the situation," Leshchyk underscored. She also highlighted a growing trend in the number of complaints received by the Educational Ombudsman Service regarding bullying among children. In 2025, the service recorded 165 complaints related to maltreatment, including bullying and discrimination within educational institutions. As of March 25, 2026, there have already been 66 such reports documented.

"We receive inquiries from parents and students, and it deeply saddens me that educators exhibit violence towards children. There are examples of unacceptable behavior, although they are not numerous, they do exist. We see these high-profile cases, and it is difficult to determine whether this is linked to a general increase in incidents or if people are simply no longer afraid to speak out about such occurrences," Leshchyk remarked. She speculated that contributing factors could include unqualified teachers, the psychological state of educators, and professional burnout. "The psychological state of both teachers and students, as well as parents, is quite unstable," she added.

Leshchyk emphasized the necessity for educational leaders to respond effectively to bullying incidents. "There must be an internal investigation conducted, a commission on cases of violence and maltreatment, including bullying, should be convened, and all facts must be examined. The school principal is obligated to promptly report the incident to the police," she stressed. In cases where a principal fails to respond to a bullying incident and does not notify the police, they may face administrative charges that could be taken to court, potentially resulting in fines.

Furthermore, according to Leshchyk, parents have the right to file a police report regarding a teacher's actions in the event of their child's bullying. The police are required to investigate the matter and forward it to the court. When asked about teachers' complaints to the Educational Ombudsman Service regarding bullying from administration or students, Leshchyk noted that such reports do exist but are significantly fewer in number. "The number of official complaints from teachers is considerably lower. There are only a handful of cases where teachers complain about the actions of students or parents," she stated.

Leshchyk also pointed out that some educational leaders attempt to hide incidents of bullying. "There is a certain pressure on teachers not to file complaints, to ensure that everything ends quietly. They fear publicity and exposure, which leads them to either exert pressure or even coerce a teacher into resigning," she explained. The ombudsman clarified that if a student engages in unacceptable behavior towards a teacher, it also constitutes bullying; however, the situation becomes more complicated when parents harass or exhibit violence towards the teacher. "Such actions do not fall under the definition of bullying," she noted.

Leshchyk stressed that for educational leaders, responding to bullying is not only a matter of reputation but also involves additional actions such as convening a commission, documenting meeting minutes, and communicating with the police. "Educational institutions perceive this as unnecessary hassle and often try to resolve the situation by concealing it," she remarked. She also added that not all incidents occurring within educational settings are classified as bullying; some complaints arise from conflicts among participants in the educational process. "It is important to involve a psychologist to work alongside the class teacher to implement preventive measures," Leshchyk emphasized.

In the opinion of the educational ombudsman, the proposal for licensing educational staff and revoking their licenses, which is periodically discussed, is inappropriate. "I do not support such a proposal. We have a system for assessing educational staff that pertains to professional qualities, including adherence to pedagogical ethics and combating violence," she stated. As reported, educational institution staff are required to inform the police about children who are not engaged in education. Relevant amendments to the Procedure for Accounting Children of Preschool and School Age were adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine in February 2026.