Nowadays, violence among students is constantly increasing, posing a serious challenge to the educational process and society as a whole. Violence occurs in various forms such as physical, verbal, psychological, and increasingly digital – cyber violence. Each type of violence leaves lasting emotional consequences on students, affecting their self-esteem, success in school and general development.

Physical violence is the most visible and refers to hitting, pushing, kicking or intentionally causing bodily harm and taking personal items. Verbal violence refers to verbal insults, humiliations, threats and taunts that can deeply damage the psychological health of the child. Social violence refers to exclusion from the group, avoidance, isolation, spreading rumors or manipulation. Cyberbullying is particularly prevalent today and refers to the use of social media to humiliate, post private images, insult or threaten peers.

According to research, the most common form of violence in the world is verbal violence, followed by cyberbullying, which is rapidly increasing due to the widespread and easy use of technology. In North Macedonia, verbal and social violence are also the most common, but physical violence should not be neglected, especially in primary schools.

Local research indicates that a large number of students avoid talking about such experiences due to fear or distrust. In this context, it is most important to provide an atmosphere of support and safety in schools.

It is crucial that parents and teachers, despite their many obligations, find time for open conversations with children and students. Regular communication and support can help in timely recognition and prevention of violence. Parents should be educated on how to establish an honest relationship with their children, encourage them, talk about their problems and deal with conflicts in a constructive way.

Teachers should also regularly attend preventive trainings on dealing with violence in schools and be active mediators in resolving conflicts. If an incident occurs, immediate measures should be taken to calm down and eliminate the conflict situation.

Creating a supportive atmosphere is key to preventing violence. Schools should foster a sense of security among students. Preventive activities, such as educational workshops, team games and emotional intelligence classes, are an important part of the fight against violence.

In this regard, cooperation between the school, parents and the community is needed. Only through joint efforts can we provide a safer and healthier environment for children, which will enable them to grow and develop as healthy and successful individuals.

Conclusion: Dealing with violence requires constant engagement from all stakeholders, namely parents, teachers and institutions. Only through prevention, timely response and creation of a safe atmosphere can we protect children and prepare them for a healthy and happy future society.

Prof. Dr. Gjorgina Qimova

Professor at the International Slavic University — Sveti Nikole