Although schools are intended to be secure learning environments, abuse and violence are known to occur frequently.
The latest incident at a Bangkok school, in which an alleged bullied 14-year-old boy was stabbed and killed, speaks volumes about the emotional harm that bullying can cause and how it unfortunately prompts victims to take drastic measures.
The perpetrator had been harassed by the target for two weeks before resorting to violence as a last resort, according to an original police investigation into the Jan 29 assault at Matthayom Naknawaupatham class on Soi Pattanakan 26 in the Suan Luang area.
Bullying at schools has been common for years; according to a study conducted by the Public Health Ministry last year, 44.2 % of 37,271 young respondents experienced either emotional or physical harassment, of which 86.9 % occurred in schools.
As part of a program to monitor students ‘ health and wellbeing, the Department of Health Service Support and Education headquarters in Bangkok and the regions conducted the survey.
Thailand had the second-highest level of abuse in the world, with 600,000 schoolchildren being victims, according to a survey conducted by the Department of Mental Health in 2020.
The stabbing on January 29 emphasizes the urgent need for educators, parents, and policymakers to prevent harassment and assault in the classroom.
Participants were questioned by The Bangkok Post to learn more about how to combat bullying in schools. Babies need to be reminded by their teachers and parents that bullying is unacceptable in schools and that it will result in negative effects.
enhancing school safety
The government supports a cooperative strategy to create safer schools, according to Siripong Angkasakulkiat, Pol Gen Permpoon Chidchob’s helper.
Due to the incident, more work needs to be done to address class crime and protect students ‘ personal well-being.
According to Mr. Siripong, Pol Gen Permpoon aims to make educators more personable in order to foster a friendly atmosphere where students can feel comfortable confiding in them about difficult incidents.
It’s crucial for instructors to get along with their kids well so that kids can feel at ease talking to them and asking for advice. The education secretary is concentrating on that strategy, he said.
The secretary also has a committee responsible for ensuring students ‘ emotional well-being, and one of its goals, according to him, is to improve the abilities of teacher-counsellors known as young naeh-neew, giving them the skills they need to help students.
He continued by saying that the government would reveal this month the steps it has taken to improve the wellbeing of learners.
Bullying is a difficult problem that is challenging to control, but Mr. Siripong acknowledged that it can be solved by working with partners.
Families, schools, and neighborhoods must take social action in this matter, just like the proverb” It takes a village to raise the child,” he said.
He responded that student happiness levels and the level of public involvement can serve as indicators to determine the effect of these initiatives when asked about the criteria used to assess interventions in reducing bullying.
And there needs to be a decrease in violent situations, he continued.
He claimed that surveillance systems have been set up by the government to assess the actions. Directors of the education zones and statewide education offices monitor their implementation and provide reports on their findings, he said.
Stepping up safety measures to make schools free of limited items like weapons is an immediate step taken after the stabbing incident, he said.
Although some students might be able to avoid recognition, he said that adequate measures are required because they can lessen violent incidents.
Siripong: A town is necessary to raise a child.
People have a part.
Bullying patients frequently experience sadness, experts say.
According to Pol Col. Krerkkamol Yamprayoon, head of the psychiatric and drug division at the Police General Hospital, a study conducted by the Department of Health in 2021 revealed that 28 % of children had high levels of stress, and 32 % of these children were at risk of developing depression.
According to studies, abused children are three times more likely than unbullied children to experience depression.
However, exposure to the media may drastically change children’s mental health and how they respond to various situations, he said. The household plays a vital role in protecting children from depression and anxiety and lowering the risk of violence.
In order for families to comprehend the issues their kids might encounter, Pol Col Krerkkamol urged them to have opened communication with them.
But, he added, parents must approach their children with purpose rather than emotion and give them the time and space they need to discuss their problems.
” Spending quality time together enables parents to carefully monitor their children’s behavior.” And parents may think about changing their activities if they seem angry, he said.
Bullying victims might exhibit melancholy and annoyance. They might even show a diminished sense of self-worth and lack of focus, he said.
They frequently act indifferently toward past pastimes, shift their eating habits (either eating more or less ), and speak in a variety of ways.
Before their kids start thinking about hurting themselves and other people, parents are advised to seek counseling for them, he said.
Krerkkamol: Kids need to talk.
tones of parents
Following the death of a pupil at Matthayom Naknawaupatham class, parents and students have expressed worries about bullying.
Panupong, 10 ( surname withheld ), claimed that his mother had informed him not to engage in bullying at school.
I’ve always abused my classmates at school. We simply enjoy, and that’s it. I believe that instead of bullying, we should concentrate on our reports.
Bullying is unacceptable and no one deserves it, according to 44-year-old Parichat ( surname withheld ).
” I speak with my brother about his day-to-day activities. Anyone wants their kids to be bullied or bullying each other, so as a family, I’m worried about that information.
Because students are still developing and also children, teachers should watch how they behave in order to prevent fights between students, according to Parichat.
calling for more effective measures
Violence against children is a major issue, according to Suriyadeo Tripathi, producer of the Centre for Morality Promotion.
According to Dr. Suriyadeo, a delicate society may give rise to children who imitate violent behavior, experience social problems, and lack empathy.
Yet words can cause a emotionally unstable child to lash out when they are under pressure from their family or school, he claimed. Even worse would be a world rife with murder that might have an impact on him.
He added that parents should be held responsible for their children’s behavior and that “tackling the problem at its origins may begin with families, schools, and areas.”
In the meantime, he said, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security really assist in providing care for kids whose parents have a history of violence. It’s a crucial step to help safeguard kids, he said.
By avoiding demanding scientific assessments, schools can help students feel less stressed, he said. To develop their skills, students should concentrate on life-skills courses.
Communities if, in the meantime, set up a system for monitoring, transferring cases, and consulting with violently inclined children.
He claimed that after receiving favorable opinions, a House panel had invited him to reveal his opinions on youth violence. The state will receive a proposal to tackle child violence.
Suriyadeo: Concentrate on life knowledge