The Role Of The Teacher's Profession In Preventing Bullying In Schools

Abstract

Bullying in schools is a serious social issue that negatively affects students' psychological, social, and academic conditions. KPAI data (2023) shows an increase in school violence cases to 329 cases , while UNICEF notes that 41% of 15-year-old students in Indonesia have experienced bullying. The discrepancy between the ideal condition of a safe school environment and the reality of widespread physical, verbal, social bullying, and cyberbullying highlights the need for interventions that address the root causes of the problem. This study aims to identify forms of bullying in schools, their impacts on students, and evaluate the role and strategies of teachers in prevention and handling efforts. The methodology used is a literature study by collecting relevant journal articles and scientific papers, which are then analyzed descriptively. The results indicate that verbal bullying is the most frequent form and is often dismissed as a mere joke. Bullying causes significant negative impacts, including decreased self-confidence, emotional trauma, anxiety, fear, and reduced concentration and academic performance. In this context, teachers play a pivotal role through active supervision of student interactions, character building, enforcing strict rules, and providing education and outreach. In conclusion, bullying is not a simple issue but a long-term threat to student development that requires structured interventions from schools. Based on these findings, it is recommended that schools strengthen consistent anti-bullying policies, provide accessible complaint mechanisms and counseling services, and optimize synergistic collaboration among teachers, schools, and parents to create a safe and inclusive learning environment.