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It is a special pleasure for me to address today's conference, which deals with the very serious issue of bullying. The conference is organized by the Observatory for Violence at School of the Pedagogical Institute, in cooperation with the Directorates of Secondary General and Secondary Technical and Vocational Education and Training, on the occasion of the Panhellenic Day against School Violence and Bullying, which is set to be the 6th of March every year.
Unfortunately, school bullying is a sad reality nowadays. Any form of bullying behaviour becomes a threat to emotional well-being, learning and education and acts as an obstacle to the achievement of learning objectives, but also as a variable which affects the overall functioning and quality of the school environment.
In a meeting I had last June with the Adolescent Advisory Team of the Commissioner for Children's Rights, we came to the conclusion, through a constructive discussion, that the phenomenon of bullying can be dealt with more effectively if we can see it through the eyes of the children themselves. This is the thrust of the programme of today's workshop, which contributes to the implementation of our plans to promote and maintain a safe environment for learning, working and interacting, with zero tolerance for violence.
In this context, and on the basis of the Governance Programme, we implement targeted policies, carry out specific actions and follow good practices, with the primary objectives of preventing, managing and reducing the phenomenon of violence and delinquency inside and outside the school environment. These policies and actions are promoted in close collaboration with the services and structures dealing with the phenomenon, such as the Educational Psychology Service, the Observatory on Violence at School, the Counselling and Vocational Education Service, the Committee for the Prevention and Combating of Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children, the Health and Citizenship Education Committee and the Direct Intervention Team.
Equally important are the synergies we develop with partners, institutions and organisations from Europe. An example of such synergy is the Consortium for the European SAFER Programme, which will be briefly presented at today's Workshop. This programme promotes an innovative method of preventing school violence and bullying, with the aim of moving towards inclusive schooling.
It is worth noting that as of November 2023, specific measures to strengthen schools to prevent and address violence, delinquency and bullying have been approved by the Council of Ministers. These measures focus on supporting the school and strengthening the management team and violence and offending prevention committees, which are established in each school at the beginning of the school year. Some of the measures are already in place, while most of them will be introduced at the beginning of the new school year at all levels of education, including pre-primary.
In addition, aiming for a holistic approach to preventing and addressing these phenomena, the Ministry has proceeded, through a contractor, to evaluate the National Strategy for the Prevention and Management of Violence at School, which will be completed in August 2024. Based on the results of this evaluation, the process of designing a new National Strategy and its associated Action Plan will move forward, drawing on the views of all stakeholders, especially our students and teachers.
At the same time, with the start of the new school year, we aim to implement specific actions, involving not only the Directorates and Services of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth, but also other Services and institutions of the State, since, as I mentioned earlier, the promotion of prevention and the treatment of bullying phenomena is one of the objectives of the Governance Programme, under the pillar of human-centred education.
Dear teachers,
It is important to deal with bullying with determination, as this issue concerns the well-being and safety of our children. Every student should feel safe and experience acceptance in the school environment. You, as teachers, but also as educators, must create this environment in a climate of respect and solidarity. You need to be aware and sensitive to the signs of bullying and be ready to intervene and protect your students when necessary.
Your contribution to the formation of a positive school climate is also important, which, according to the nationwide research conducted by our Ministry over the last three years, seems to be one of the most important deterrents to the phenomenon of school violence. The school environment, which is characterized by multiple forms of diversity, has a legal, moral and practical obligation to welcome, recognize, respect and embrace all children, protecting them from all forms of violent behavior.
In addition, in addition to addressing incidents of bullying, it is also important to work to promote awareness of bullying throughout the school community. The Ministry will be with you constantly and in all ways to support you in this difficult effort.
Dear Children,
Our society should be a place where every individual feels safe and respected. You, as students, as the future young generation, have the power to shape such a society. Supporting each other and pointing out cases of bullying on your part are acts that contribute to this. I therefore encourage you to share your thoughts and concerns with your teachers, with your parents, with your friends. Do not tolerate bullying behaviors, always be prepared to support your classmates in need. I am absolutely sure that your participation in today's workshop will be a strong guarantee in this direction.
In closing, I would like to thank the Observatory on Violence at School of the Pedagogical Institute for the excellent organization of today's workshop, as well as the Directorates and Services of our Ministry that are participating with their representatives. I would also like to thank the distinguished rapporteur Dr. Marios Constantinou, as well as all those who will participate in the papers included in the programme of the Workshop.
I would especially like to thank our teachers and students for their presence and interest.
I have no doubt that today's Workshop will be productive for all and will contribute substantially to the efforts to prevent and address the phenomenon of bullying in schools.
I have no doubt that today's Workshop will be productive for all and will contribute substantially to the efforts to prevent and address the phenomenon of bullying in schools.
I have no doubt that today's Workshop will be productive for all and will contribute substantially to the efforts to prevent and address the phenomenon of bullying in schools. As a Ministry, we will continue to work and design new policies and actions with the best interests of our children in mind and with the motto of zero tolerance for violence.
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