Most teachers are caring and supportive— but occasionally a teacher misuses their authority and bullies a child, through harsh criticism, humiliation, or unfair treatment. If your child is being bullied by a teacher, take it seriously: listen and believe them, keep a written record of incidents, support and reassure them, and address it calmly through the school— starting with the teacher, then moving up the chain to the principal and management if needed. If the school does not act, you can escalate further or move your child. Throughout, watch your child's wellbeing closely; bullying can seriously affect a child's mental health, and professional support helps.
The great majority of teachers your child meets are good, even excellent. But occasionally a teacher treats their position as one of power and uses it to bully— pushing a child too hard, scolding rather than encouraging, or withholding praise even when the child has tried their best. While physical bullying is sometimes reported, emotional and psychological bullying by a teacher is harder to see and easy to miss— and children's complaints about teachers are too often brushed aside. As a parent, listening to your child and acting on what they tell you matters enormously.
What counts as a bullying teacher? Bullying by a teacher can be repeated harsh or humiliating criticism, singling a child out unfairly, mocking or belittling them, or any pattern of behaviour that intimidates or demeans a child rather than supporting their learning. It is a misuse of the trust and authority a teacher holds— and it can genuinely harm a child.
How to handle a teacher who is bullying your child
Keep a record
Each time your child reports an incident, note the date, time, and exactly what was said or done. If other students witnessed it or are affected too, their accounts can help. Keeping clear documentation gives you a factual basis for raising the matter— and if the bullying is severe, physical, or involves cyberbullying, it is best to report it to the authorities.
Support and reassure your child
Reassure your child every time they come to you. A vital part of parenting is listening and taking their concerns seriously. Let them know you believe them and are on their side. And if you notice signs of anxiety, low mood, or withdrawal in your child, do not hesitate to consult a psychologist.
Build their self-esteem
Being bullied— especially by a figure of authority like a teacher— can badly damage a child's self-esteem. Counter this by actively encouraging their strengths and the activities they enjoy, and by spending time on things other than the bullying, which helps take their mind off it. A child who feels valued at home is more resilient to what happens at school.
Prepare your child before you act
Because raising the issue with the teacher can have repercussions for your child, talk to your child first. Letting them know you intend to address it— and how— prepares them emotionally and helps them feel involved rather than anxious about what might follow.
Follow the chain of command
Rather than going straight to the top, start with those closest to the situation— usually the teacher, then their immediate supervisor. People who are near the situation understand it better, and following the proper order tends to get a more constructive response than leapfrogging to senior management straight away.
Request a meeting with the teacher
Meet the teacher directly, and hear their side too. Stay calm— avoid shouting, accusing, or getting angry, and handle it as a composed adult. If you show you are willing to listen, the teacher is likely to be less defensive and more open. Sometimes a misunderstanding can be resolved at this stage; sometimes it confirms there is a real problem to escalate.
Escalate if necessary
If the teacher denies, blames, or refuses to acknowledge the issue, take it higher— to the principal, and if needed the school's management or board— with all your documentation in hand. Persistence, backed by your records, matters.
Don't let it continue
If even the management or board fails to act, you have further options, including formal or legal channels. In the meantime, your child's wellbeing comes first: if the situation cannot be resolved, it is reasonable to remove your child from it and consider changing schools. Bullying rarely stops without intervention, and protecting your child takes priority over keeping the peace.
Bullying can leave a lasting mark on a child's mental health. If your child seems anxious, withdrawn, low, or reluctant to go to school, please take it seriously and consider speaking to a child mental health professional. Dr. Prerna Kohli works with children and parents and can help your child process the experience and rebuild their confidence— book a consultation here.
The Indian context
In many Indian schools, a teacher's authority is rarely questioned, and a child who complains may be told they are being disrespectful or making excuses. This deference can make it hard for children to be believed and for bullying by teachers to be addressed. As a parent, taking your child's word seriously— and raising concerns calmly but firmly through the school— is exactly what helps. Protecting your child's dignity and wellbeing is not disrespect; it is your responsibility.
Key takeaways
- Listen to and believe your child— complaints about teachers are too often dismissed.
- Keep a dated written record of incidents to support raising the matter.
- Reassure your child and actively rebuild their self-esteem.
- Talk to your child before acting, then address it calmly through the school's chain of command.
- Escalate with your documentation if needed— and remove your child if the school won't act.
- Watch your child's mental health; bullying can have lasting effects, and professional support helps.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a teacher is really bullying my child?
Look for a pattern rather than a one-off: repeated harsh or humiliating criticism, singling your child out unfairly, mocking or belittling them, or behaviour that intimidates rather than teaches. Signs in your child— anxiety, reluctance to go to school, low mood, or dropping confidence— can also point to it. Keeping a record of specific incidents helps you see whether there is a genuine pattern.
Should I confront the teacher directly?
Request a calm meeting rather than a confrontation. Talk to your child first to prepare them, then meet the teacher, share your concerns, and listen to their side too. Staying composed— without shouting or accusing— tends to get a far more constructive response, and helps you judge whether the issue can be resolved or needs escalating.
What if the school doesn't take action?
Follow the chain of command with your documentation— teacher, then principal, then management or board. If the school still fails to act, you have further options including formal or legal channels, and you can move your child to a different school. Your child's wellbeing comes before keeping the peace with the school.
How can I help my child cope emotionally?
Reassure them, believe them, and rebuild their self-esteem by encouraging their strengths and interests. Keep an eye on their wellbeing, and if you notice anxiety, low mood, or withdrawal, consider speaking to a child psychologist. Bullying can affect a child deeply, and timely support makes a real difference.
If your child is being bullied and you are worried about how it is affecting them, support is available. Dr. Prerna Kohli offers warm, confidential help for children and parents— in person in Gurugram and online across India and for NRIs worldwide.
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