Recognizing peer violence and dealing with conflicts

Teachers are the backbone of this society. They are an example for children, they are leaders. Through their commitment, young people gain personal power and education. Because of teachers, countries like ours are able to further develop socially and economically. But in the classroom where the teachers are in daily contact with the children, the situation is completely different, there time is very important. There they face the challenge of effectively allocating their teaching time. Balancing the planned curriculum, student assessment and extracurricular activities can be very taxing on the teacher. In addition to that, violence and bullying in schools today affects both children and teachers, and it also takes a lot of time and conflicts that can last a lifetime. Unfortunately, not all teachers are educated and well trained to deal with challenges that occur in the classroom and on the school yard. That's why SUNA Healthy Life started the HealthyME project at the beginning of the 2023/2024 academic year with the first activity, namely a training session for training teachers to deal with and recognize peer violence and resolve conflicts. So from September 13 to 15, 2023 at the Mizo Hotel , Ohrid, a two-day training was held for twenty teachers from two primary schools from Kisela Voda municipality (Kiril Pejcinović OU and Krume Kepeski OU). Teachers actively participated in the training, which aimed to acquire skills-based knowledge and learn how to recognize, address and prevent violence and conflict between students. The purpose of this activity was to strengthen the capacities of teachers to supervise and care for the physical and emotional well-being of students so that they can become their support. The training was led by subject expert Mr. Zoran Stojkovski.

Violence in schools is a global phenomenon, which affects many institutions throughout North Macedonia and the world in general. Violence is a universal phenomenon that is characteristic of social relations and can appear in different conditions. Since the school is a social institution in which children learn to communicate and connect socially, violence is an integral part and teachers have a primary role as a mediator in resolving conflicts and recognizing bullying and violence among them. Violence and bullying is common in schools and is seen in children aged 10 and over, as the teachers concluded at the end of this training. The peer violence discussed in this training includes bullying: physical, psychological or social violence, but not only in schools but also in other places where children gather, as well as on the Internet.

The long-term negative impacts of school violence and bullying are abundantly clear: Victims of school bullying are at increased risk of low self-esteem, depression and anxiety, as well as lower school performance. In addition to the negative impacts on children's health and well-being, peer violence can hinder children's ability to learn and progress academically.

We believe that with this project we are giving teachers and children a chance to become aware of mental health problems as well as to learn how they can recognize and deal with violence between students. We truly believe that by raising the competences of teachers and their capacities, we will essentially help to ensure that all children receive high quality mental health support that will help and support them in their later lives.

 

Hi ME! is financially supported by the EU project: "Technical assistance for improving the enabling environment for civil society organizations in the Republic of North Macedonia", with identification number: EuropeAid/140131/DH/SER/MK implemented by CPM Consulting International