School violence will no longer have a place to live?

(Baonghean) -The birth of Decree 80/ND-CP is expected to establish cultural codes of conduct in educational institutions, preventing the current problem of school violence.

Big “holes”

At the end of 2016, when I met two female students from Quynh Luu district who were being treated at Cua Dong General Hospital (Vinh City) after being beaten by a group of friends, I could feel the physical injuries they were facing. The scratches on their bodies and the lumps on their scalps would eventually heal, but the biggest wound was the fear and shame that I didn’t know when would heal.

Two months earlier, a fight broke out between a group of students from Na Ngoi Boarding Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities (Ky Son District), leaving three victims seriously injured and one hospitalized in critical condition. There have been many similar incidents across the country; many of them have even left tragic consequences. Looking at that, we may have the answer to the question “Is the educational environment really safe and healthy?”

Collective activities of students and teachers of Hung Loc Primary School (Vinh City). Photo: My Ha

On the other hand, in some educational institutions, teachers themselves do not have a cultured way of behaving and do not really set an example for students. At the end of May 2017, a teacher at Nghi Hoa Primary School (Nghi Loc District) used a ruler to hit a first grader many times, causing the student to become sick, have a fever, be weak, and be afraid to go to school.

These are the “gaps” in the educational environment that need to be frankly acknowledged. Many psychologists and many conferences have clearly analyzed the current situation and causes of the problem, but up to now, a truly safe and healthy educational environment has not yet become a reality.

When stories of students fighting are attributed to psychological crises, immaturity, and impetuosity of age, there is absolutely no reason to justify or justify the inappropriate behavior of teachers. However, bad stories still happen, and the problem of school violence still makes many parents worry.

Prevent school violence

The birth of Decree 80 is expected to be the answer to the current problem of school violence. If previously, the solutions were only suggestive, from this school year, mandatory regulations will be implemented in all schools. Accordingly, schools must also publicize their plans to prevent school violence and channels for receiving information and denunciations about school violence.

In particular, the new point is that all schools must have measures to support students at risk of school violence. Specifically, timely detection and consultation, counseling for students with aggressive behavior, at risk of causing school violence, students at risk of school violence to prevent and eliminate this risk. In addition, Decree 80 also stipulates that all schools must include educational programs on school violence in teaching content.

Mr. Nguyen Huy Anh - Vice President of Nghe An Association of Psychology and Education commented: "The proposed solutions are close to reality. However, whether the implementation achieves the desired results or not depends largely on the efforts of the entire education sector and society. In which, the most important role is the coordination between family and school. Only when creating a good, harmonious and humane environment for children will they also behave similarly with their peers."

Setting up a suggestion box and hotline is also considered an effective support measure when school violence occurs outside the school gate, beyond the control of teachers and parents. Ms. Dang Thanh Binh (parent of a student, residing in Truong Thi ward, Vinh city) shared: As parents of students, we fully support, as long as our children can study in a healthy environment.

Teachers observe classes at Tien Phong 4 Primary School. Photo: Phuong Thao

Currently, schools in the province have grasped the general direction of the Government, but the implementation needs to wait for the guiding Circular of the Ministry of Education and Training. Mr. Phan Xuan Hoai Linh - Teacher, Secretary of the Youth Union of Huynh Thuc Khang High School (Vinh City) said: "More than anyone else, teachers are the ones who want to build a healthy and friendly educational environment.

Therefore, we also have high expectations for this new school year. When school violence occurs, we should not only blame the school, but also blame the family for not being responsible for disciplining and educating their children. Repelling school violence is the task of the whole society. The new decree is expected to be an effective “medicine” to completely cure this disease.”

Phuong Thao