Albanian teachers use new ways of child discipline at school

Tirana, 26 November 2013 – Teachers and school children found that by adopting disciplinary measures that are not based on fear, threats, humiliation or physical force can help to reduce violence incidence at the school environment – says the communication for behaviour change survey released today from Ministry of Education and Sports.

The results of the first two year communication strategy for behaviour change highlights how the physical or psychological violence for disciplining children is gradually replaced with alternative nonviolent disciplinary actions. Among other important steps, it tells how four micro communication actions are required such us: pause, enquire, engage, and take (PEET) to bring peace and tolerance within the school’s environment. This PEET card is taken up by the teachers when violent cases happen during the school hours and is helping to build the dialogue among teachers and the students.

Prevention of the violence is at the heart of communication for behavior impact campaign and this is the most advanced methodology applied to influence the change. The Ministy of Education and Sports, supported by UNICEF is the firts among other ministries to implement this approach.

The survey, tells some positive aspects adopted such us: there is an increase of the awareness to recognize the phenomena and new ways to respond; information corner within the school are set up to distribute information packages to the school children; the adoption of the policy for child friendly schools; 500.000 parents are reacting and accepting to talk about the violence with their children and 640.000 pupils knows about the new ways of discipline and over 3.500 school principals, teachers, psychologyst are trained under this approach and demonstrate willingnes to apply it.

Albanian government is commited to strenghen the child protection system and make it a priority. With the support of parents, teachers, community and all sectors including local government, mass media, and civil society, there is a great possibility that Albania will successfully address physical and emotional violence against its children.

***

For further information please contact:

Anila Miria - Communication Officer at

Floriana Hima - Child Protection Officer at

Dena Grillo - COMBI Consultant at