The pain that one feels when one accidentally bites one’s tongue while eating is something that we can identify with. The pain is sharp and piercing, and lingers. It can result in loss of appetite and will remind us to be more mindful of our next bite.
My heart goes out to the boy who was forced to cut off the tip of his tongue by bullies.
It is unimaginable that 9-year- old boys were involved in this sadistic behaviour. What triggered the bullies to do this to another boy is beyond comprehension.
Maybe the boy had a habit of showing them his tongue in jest or the bullies wanted to re-enact a scene they saw in a horror movie?
Whatever the reason, the bullies must be dealt with to prevent a recurrence of this behaviour among schoolchildren.
We need to end bullying. Videos of students being assaulted by bullies are disturbing. Such violence in children is frightening.
Watching boys ganging up and beating a boy to a pulp in a room is gut wrenching and sickening.
Many of us feel helpless seeing such barbaric behaviour.
There have been far too many
cases of student bullying and assaults in schools and colleges, especially in hostels and dormitories.
Such violent and aggressive behaviour cannot be tolerated and action has to be taken against the boys.
Students who beat other students should be expelled. Victims are left physically and emotionally scarred. Many suffer from broken bones and ribs and, in extreme cases, paralysis and death.
Cases of aggression and violence among students should be curbed by the authorities.
How is it that our education system has created such monsters? Where have we gone wrong?
There are many children in schools and colleges who are violent and aggressive.
These bullies make life in school a living hell for other children.
Severe punishment should be meted out to students who slap, hit, punch or kick another student for whatever reason, even if they have been provoked.
Repeat offenders should be suspended or expelled from school, and they should be sent for counselling and rehabilitation.
If this is not done, these bullies will grow up to be juvenile delinquents and vandals, and eventually, thugs.
Parents of bullies should be held responsible and accountable for their children’s actions.
They should be informed of their children’s violent behaviour.
Hopefully, teachers, disciplinary teachers and parents will play their role as guardians and protect children from bullies and hoodlums in schools.
Many children do not tell their teachers or parents if they are bullied or harassed by students. The onus is on parents and teachers to check and supervise the children in homes and schools.
Samuel Yesuiah, Seremban, Negri Sembilan