PREVENTION OF PEER VIOLENCE
23.04.2012
Bullying in schools is growing, say psychologists of the Department for Child Care, City of Nis. The results of a survey, that has been conducted last three months by this city administration of Nis among elementary school students, showed that nearly half of the children are formerly involved in a fight or quarrel in schools. Representatives of educational institutions, local government authorities, experts talked about this issue during this occasion. PhD Igor Novakovic, president of Palilula Municipality participated at this conference.

The survey results of the Child, social and primary health care of the City of Nis, conducted over the past three months in 13 schools in Nis, randomly, included 1100 children from fifth to eighth grades, are worrying. According to Marina Kostic, psychologist, worrying is the finding that 45 percent of children do not feel safe on the road from home to school, but the 12 percent who do not think they are secure in no time. "Conflicts are common in schools, said 22 percent of surveyed elementary pupils in Nis. A conflict occurs occasionally in the school says even 41 percent of children in elementary schools. Do the children feel safe at schools and who would be contacted when a problem comes up? Why violence prevention should start with the youngest group, was all stressed at this meeting.

City Council on this occasion announces actions to prevent bullying also in preschools. " Soon we should also convey this sort of surveys in `Pcelica` pre school institution so that among the youngest we could stop eventual violence. Says Dusica Davidovic, councilor of the City of Nis. Nis elementary school children suggested that the most efficient stopping and prevention of the violence would be more frequent parent meetings and introduction of the classes against violence.