EFFECTIVENESS OF PEACE EDUCATION PRACTICES IN REDUCING BULLYING AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS IN ISLAMABAD

Abstract

This study investigates the effectiveness of peace education practices in reducing bullying among college students in Islamabad. The increasing prevalence of bullying in higher education institutions and the growing importance of peace-oriented educational approaches necessitate an empirical examination of their relationship. The objectives of the study were to examine the level of implementation of peace education practices in colleges, to assess the prevalence of bullying among college students, and to determine the relationship between peace education practices and bullying. The study adopted a quantitative research design using a descriptive-correlational approach. The population consisted of approximately 25,000 to 30,000 college students enrolled in public and private colleges of Islamabad. A sample of 400 students was selected through a multistage sampling technique involving random selection of colleges and stratified selection of respondents. The research tool was a structured questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale covering peace education practices and bullying behaviors. Validity of the instrument was ensured through expert review, while reliability was confirmed through Cronbach’s Alpha using a pilot study. Data were analyzed using SPSS, applying descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analysis to test the hypotheses. The first objective finding revealed that peace education practices are moderately to highly implemented in colleges, particularly in areas of tolerance promotion and cooperative learning, and it is recommended that institutions strengthen peer mediation and empathy-based programs to further enhance peaceful student behavior. The significance of the study lies in its contribution to educational policy, teacher training, and institutional strategies aimed at reducing bullying and promoting a safe and inclusive learning environment in higher education institutions.

Keywords: Peace Education Practices, Bullying, College Students, Islamabad, Conflict Resolution, Higher Education.