Podgorica, (MINA) – Every fifth child in Montenegrin schools has experienced some form of peer violence, predominantly verbal, Minister of Education Damir Sehovic has stated.
Participants at the conference on school violence hosted by the NGO Juventas on Monday noted that there are no adequate mechanisms for recognizing and responding to peer violence in schools which is becoming increasingly prevalent.
According to a survey, 24.8% of elementary school students have experienced some form of violence in the past year.
In secondary schools, 24% of students have said that they have experienced peer violence.
Minister Sehovic said that he was pleased that the survey showed that 90% of students felt safe, describing however as worrying the finding that every fifth child was exposed to some form of pressure or conflict.
Sehovic explained that most of the reported conflicts referred to verbal attacks or social isolation.
“I will not allow anyone in educational institutions to turn a blind eye to any form of violence,” the Minister stressed.
Executive director at Juventas Jelena Colakovic noted that addressing the problem of peer violence is not a private problem of families whose children have experienced violence, but a challenge to the whole society.
Head of the EU Delegation in Montenegro Aivo Orav said that the European Commission recognized the problem of peer violence in its progress report.
He noted that the fight against peer violence is a key priority for the EU, which is founded on the principles of freedom, tolerance and anti-discrimination.
Orav also remarked that the role of young people needs to be strengthened in all social processes. Longer version of article is available on a link MINA ENGLISH SERVIS
