Tirana 31 January 2024 – CRCA/ECPAT Albania and the Albanian Coalition for Education are seriously concerned on the level of bullying being reported from children attending public schools. The latest report was shown last night at the investigative TV programme “Fiks Fare”, where a girl was a victim of bullying for the last two years and because of the lack of action from the school, she had thought to commit suicide. Only few months ago a 15-year-old boy was killed by his peer, because he was bullying him online.
Schools should be environments that cherish the well-being of our children, with unwavering resolve and commitment to safer schools – sanctuaries that stand resolute against the scourge of bullying and violence. Every child deserves to learn and grow free from fear and violence, and it is our collective duty to ensure their safety within the hallowed halls of education.
CRCA/ECPAT Albania and the Albanian Coalition for Education have always advocated for the safety and welfare of our children and young people in public schools. Based on such harsh reality that we receive from the reports of children and parents, we strongly recommend to the Ministry of Education to act urgently by reviewing the policies, regulations and mechanisms it has in place in every school, by using the following principles:
1. Public policies should promote Zero Tolerance for Bullying and Violence in Schools: Schools should categorically reject any form of bullying, harassment, or violence within their premises. Every child has the right to a secure and nurturing environment conducive to learning and free from violence. In this regard, we strongly recommend to the Ministry of Education to introduce new policies and action plans to promote zero tolerance for bulling and violence in schools and how will this be achieved.
2. Education for Empathy: The Ministry of Education shall implement new comprehensive educational programs that instil empathy, kindness, and respect for diversity. By fostering understanding, we lay the groundwork for a culture that celebrates differences rather than exploiting them.
3. Active Intervention: New education policies should be introduced to allow schools to commit to swift and decisive intervention in instances of bullying or violence. Reporting mechanisms should be streamlined and accessible, ensuring that every incident is promptly addressed and resolved, including information to every child and young person on ALO 116-111: National Child Helpline.
4. Involve the Community and CSOs: The Ministry of Education and schools across Albania should recognise the vital role of community support and of the civil society organisations. Parents, local communities and CSOs should be invited to actively engage in the promotion of safer schools.
5. Children need Mental Health and Well-being Support in Schools: Bulling and violence has a profound impact on a child’s mental health. Therefore, The Ministry of Education and public schools need to provide appropriate counselling and support services to both victims and perpetrators, fostering healing and rehabilitation, with the support of school psychologists and from established social care services of CSO’s.
6. Holistic Approach to Discipline: Disciplinary measures shall not be focused in expelling “bad” children out of schools. The need for discipline shall be administered fairly and consistently, with a focus on educating and rehabilitating those who engage in harmful behaviour, while ensuring the safety and well-being of the entire school community. In this regard working closely with Child Protection Units and CSO’s could provide a wider needed support to children, teachers, and the communities.
7. Professional Development for Teachers: We are pleased that as of yesterday the Ministry of Education presented a plan for teachers training and development. However, as the approach followed by the Ministry of Education seems very much donor-led we believe that there is yet time to establish equal opportunities for all those subjects that would like to contribute to the teachers training. Among others, teachers need to receive ongoing training to identify and address signs of bullying and violence. By empowering teachers with the necessary tools, we strengthen their ability to create a safe and inclusive learning environment.
8. Establish Safe Spaces in every school: The Ministry of Education as the responsible institution for all education aspects, should take the lead to create safe spaces within schools where children feel secure and free from intimidation. These spaces will serve as havens for expression, dialogue, and resolution with the support of teachers, school psychologists and community organizations.
We strongly believe that on this journey to fortify our schools as bastions of safety, tolerance, and learning, we need to act together. The Ministry of Education needs to lead our collective commitment towards safer schools, where every child can flourish, free from the shadows of bullying and violence. Together, we shall create an educational landscape that not only imparts knowledge but also nurtures the resilience, compassion, and well-being of our future generations.