School without violence- creating a safe and protective environment in schools
Press conference on "School without Violence" project in primary school "Pavle Rovinski" in Podgorica on May 19, 2009 PODGORICA, May 19, 2009 – Research in eight Montenegrin primary schools found that 48% of children had experienced some form of violence such as bullying by their peers in the last couple of months. On the other side, about 80% of children have not talked about violence to any adults at home or in school during this period. That is why UNICEF together with the Ministry of Education initiated the implementation of the project “School without violence – creating safe and protective environment in schools”. Research in eight Montenegrin primary schools found that 48% of children had experienced some form of violence such as bullying by their peers in the last couple of months. On the other side, about 80% of children have not talked about violence to any adults at home or in school during this period. Through workshops for teachers, parents and children a protective network is created in school in order to prevent violence and help all children – victims, witnesses or perpetuators of violence. Eight primary schools have participated in this program in Montenegro so far. "School without violence– creating safe and protective environment in schools“ project is conceived as a multi-year effort aimed at changing attitudes, eliminating the tolerance threshold for violence, stimulating cooperation and respect, as well as preventing further violent behaviours among children." said Noala Skinner, UNICEF Montenegro Representative at a press conference in primary school "Pavle Rovinski" on May 19, 2009. UNICEF National Goodwill Ambassador Rambo Amadeus gave plaques to the school principals of primary schools "Pavle Rovinski" and "Stampar Makarije" in order to congratulate them on on the efforts to become a safer place for all children. "Receiving a plaque for participation in the programme is of course not the end of the story. It is a recognition that the school has passed 7 steps of the programme, but this is a long term process that requires ongoing all round effort." said Noala Skinner, UNICEF Montenegro Representative on this occasion. "Receiving a plaque for participation in the programme is of course not the end of the story. It is a recognition that the school has passed 7 steps of the programme, but this is a long term process that requires ongoing all round effort." Noala Skinner, UNICEF Representative Deputy Minister of Education Vesna Vucurovic said that the ministry together with UNICEF will continue to support spreading of this project to all schools in Montenegro. "For the project to be successful all stakeholders have to participate actively - children, parents, teachers and local community." The project is a successful example of public private partnership with donations from several companies in Montenegro received to date. UNICEF National Goodwill Ambassador Rambo Amadeus invited the private sector in Montenegro to fund the expansion of the project. "I would like to use this opportunity to invite the businessmen who are doing well ... to help schools to implement this programme."
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Rambo Amadeus delivers the "School without violence" plaque to the "Pavle Rovinski" school principal Marijana Papic
Children make a symbol to the school without violence
UNICEF Representative Noala Skinner with children drawing symbols for school without violence in primary school "Stampar Makarije" in Podgorica
Children making a symbol to school without violence in the courtyard of primary school "Pavle Rovinski" in Podgorica
A child crying after getting a slap in the face - a symbol to protecting children from violence made by students of primary school "Pavle Rovinski" in Podgorica
Deputy Minister of Education Vesna Vucurovic, school principal Dragana Dmitrovic and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Rambo Amadeus drawing symbols for school without violence together with students of primary school "Stampar Makarije" in Podgorica |
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