School violence prevention through education
School violence prevention through education is the attempt to reduce violence and bullying through comprehensive approaches and interventions within the education sector. It aims to create a safe and non-violent learning environment. Acceptable practices include strong leadership; a safe and inclusive school environment; developing knowledge, attitudes, and skills; effective partnerships; implementing mechanisms for reporting and providing appropriate support and services, and collecting and using evidence. Background. School violence includes physical, psychological, and sexual violence and bullying and occurs in all countries. The root causes include gender and social norms and broader structural and contextual  factors such as income inequality, deprivation, marginalization, and conflict. It is estimated that 246 million children and adolescents experience school violence in some form every year. Violence and bullying in schools violate the rights of children and adolescents, including their right to education and health. Studies show that school violence and bullying harm the academic performance, physical and mental health, and emotional well-being of those who are victimized. It also has a detrimental effect on perpetrators and bystanders. An atmosphere of anxiety, fear, and insecurity that is incompatible with learning has a negative impact on the wider school environment . Education sector response. Different approaches can reduce violence and bullying and can also contribute to improving academic achievement and enhancing children’s social skills and well-being. UNESCO recommends that an effective and comprehensive education sector approach to school violence and bullying encompasses the following elements: Changes in prevalence. According to studies, there was a decline in the prevalence of bullying in many countries, but fewer have seen a decrease in physical fights or physical attacks. Fewer than half of countries have seen a decrease in students in physical fighting. Of the 29 countries with trend data on involvement in  a physical fight, 13 have seen a decrease, 12 have seen no change, and four have seen an increase. Physical attacks have decreased in half of the countries. Of 24 countries and territories with trend data on the prevalence of physical attacks, 12 have seen a decrease, 10 have seen no change and two have seen an increase in prevalence. Despite the prevalence of cyberbullying being low compared with other forms of school violence and bullying, it increases. In seven European countries, the proportion of children aged 11–16 years who use the Internet and reported that they had experienced cyberbullying  increased from 7% in 2010 to 12% in 2014. Studies show that countries that have succeeded in reducing school violence and bullying or maintaining a low prevalence have nine factors in common. These key factors include: