School principals are now required to notify law enforcement about instances of bullying and child abuse.
According to educational ombudsman Nadia Leschik, failing to report such incidents may lead to administrative penalties.
She explained that teachers and administrators must respond to any verbal or written complaints related to violence within one day.
If signs of bullying are detected, the principal is obligated to inform the child's parents and report to the police.
Nadia Leschik emphasized that reporting bullying cases is a crucial step towards holding perpetrators accountable. After such a report, police have the authority to open a case, and the court will determine whether bullying occurred.
"In some instances, it may involve a one-time act of violence, but it cannot be ignored as it is also considered abusive behavior. Police will decide if there are grounds for a criminal case or administrative protocol," the ombudsman clarified.
According to her, principals do not have the authority to independently determine if bullying occurred but can identify signs of abuse for further reporting to the police.
If a principal fails to report to the police, they may face administrative liability under part 5 of Article 173-4 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, which includes fines or corrective labor.
Judicial practice shows that fines are the most common penalty imposed on violators.
According to the educational ombudsman's office, some principals refrain from reporting bullying due to concerns about the institution's reputation.
Principals often mistakenly believe that reporting to the police should only occur after a special committee reviews the bullying complaint.
"Silencing such cases only worsens the situation and leads to negative outcomes for all participants in the educational process," Nadia Leschik stated.
Previously, the Ministry of Education developed a mechanism for quickly reporting bullying cases, allowing students or their parents to fill out a short form and submit complaints electronically.