Q:
A:
Schools should exert positive influence on children's behaviour
Belgrade,
3 October 2006
Serbian Minister of Education and Sport Slobodan Vuksanovic presented today the results of a UNICEF research within the "School without Violence" project which show that 65% of elementary school children in Serbia have in the past three months been exposed to some kind of violence.
Vuksanovic said that UNICEF carried out the research in 54 elementary schools in Serbia and that 65% of pupils stated that in the past three months they personally experienced some kind of violence from their peers, whereas 44% confirmed they were exposed to one or another form of violence during the entire schooling.
According to Vuksanovic, the research shows that 73% of students like going to school, which means that school is a beneficial resource through which it is possible to exert a positive influence on children's behaviour.
The Minister said that the research also shows that more serious forms of violence, such as the formation of gangs, the use of weapons and similar, are very rare in Serbia.
He explained that the term violence in this project does not only imply physical violence, but all other forms of insults and verbal harassment which remain in the child's mind for a very long time and often hurt more than physical wounds.
Vuksanovic thanked companies that helped finance the research, such as the Serbian telecommunications and postal company PTT Serbia, Serbian Oil Industry, Banka Intesa and Al Grosso design company, adding that those who understand the importance of the project are few because the prevalent opinion in Serbian society remains that social position is acquired through the amount of money someone has and not through humanitarian activities.
He recalled that apart from UNICEF, the "School without Violence" project was also supported by three ministries, the Serbian Children’s Rights Council and the Office for Education Improvement.
UNICEF Director for Serbia Ann Lee Swenson stressed that the "School without Violence" project is composed of seven stages, the first of which has been completed and refers to the construction of an interior protective network between children, teachers and the local community.
Swenson said that apart from the general report, each of the 54 schools that participated in the project will receive individual reports, adding that another 112 schools have shown interest in taking part in the project.
Representatives of companies that supported the project financially said they wish to take part in such projects in future as well, adding that children are everyone's concern and that it is necessary to invest a lot in their education and protection.
According to Vuksanovic, the research shows that 73% of students like going to school, which means that school is a beneficial resource through which it is possible to exert a positive influence on children's behaviour.
The Minister said that the research also shows that more serious forms of violence, such as the formation of gangs, the use of weapons and similar, are very rare in Serbia.
He explained that the term violence in this project does not only imply physical violence, but all other forms of insults and verbal harassment which remain in the child's mind for a very long time and often hurt more than physical wounds.
Vuksanovic thanked companies that helped finance the research, such as the Serbian telecommunications and postal company PTT Serbia, Serbian Oil Industry, Banka Intesa and Al Grosso design company, adding that those who understand the importance of the project are few because the prevalent opinion in Serbian society remains that social position is acquired through the amount of money someone has and not through humanitarian activities.
He recalled that apart from UNICEF, the "School without Violence" project was also supported by three ministries, the Serbian Children’s Rights Council and the Office for Education Improvement.
UNICEF Director for Serbia Ann Lee Swenson stressed that the "School without Violence" project is composed of seven stages, the first of which has been completed and refers to the construction of an interior protective network between children, teachers and the local community.
Swenson said that apart from the general report, each of the 54 schools that participated in the project will receive individual reports, adding that another 112 schools have shown interest in taking part in the project.
Representatives of companies that supported the project financially said they wish to take part in such projects in future as well, adding that children are everyone's concern and that it is necessary to invest a lot in their education and protection.
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