Module 1
Factual Background
Chapter 1 Conceptual Framework
1.1 Challenges related to discrimination and violence in European school Systems
In incorporating principles of human rights and values inside educational institutions and the curriculum, modern democratic and constitutional nations encounter a variety of obstacles within their education systems. One of the most important human rights violations is represented by discrimination. The European Convention on human rights imposes an obligation on schools to combat prejudice, and this is crucial for the well-being and academic achievement of the students.
Children and adolescents who are discriminated against or treated unjustly are more prone to develop negative school attitudes, decreased motivation and academic performance, a higher risk of abandoning formal schooling, and experience of bullying.
The challenges school systems face in terms of discrimination are firstly related to the negative stereotypes which teachers, parents, and students have towards minority groups. These stereotypes contribute to biased and violent behaviour in students who, if teachers and parents share or encourage the same unfavourable attitudes, will refuse to study beside migrant and refugee children.
The lack of data is another challenge with which the elimination of discrimination at school is facing. At European level, there are few data which explicitly focus on such discrimination. For example, children with disabilities are not always present in the statistics, and this “invisibility” makes them vulnerable and segregated in terms of educational access. Additionally, other “invisible” minorities are represented by the LGBTI children.
When the dialogue between schools and parents is missing, it is more difficult to combat prejudice. Frequently, this happens due to language barriers, social and economic issues, parents working abroad and leaving children in elderly relatives’ care.
The result of this situation leads to violence in schools which is one of the most serious and spread types of violence against children. It ranges from physical to psychological and is often manifested by actions of intimidation, bullying, and suppression, all of which fostering insecurity and anxiety, harming school atmosphere, and violating students’ right to learn in a safe, non-threatened environment.
At European level, the Council of Europe seeks to eradicate classroom violence also by teaching students about human rights and democratic citizenship. In this respect, education has a crucial role in the prevention and elimination of school violence, as well as discrimination. The Charter for Education for Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights of the Council of Europe Education provides member states with an instrument for combating all types of prejudice and violence, including bullying and harassment. But everything starts with schools recognizing who may be at risk of prejudice, what they can do to reduce discrimination and violence, and how they can help at-risk kids.
Children and adolescents who are discriminated against or treated unjustly are more prone to develop negative school attitudes, decreased motivation and academic performance, a higher risk of abandoning formal schooling, and experience of bullying.
The challenges school systems face in terms of discrimination are firstly related to the negative stereotypes which teachers, parents, and students have towards minority groups. These stereotypes contribute to biased and violent behaviour in students who, if teachers and parents share or encourage the same unfavourable attitudes, will refuse to study beside migrant and refugee children.
The lack of data is another challenge with which the elimination of discrimination at school is facing. At European level, there are few data which explicitly focus on such discrimination. For example, children with disabilities are not always present in the statistics, and this “invisibility” makes them vulnerable and segregated in terms of educational access. Additionally, other “invisible” minorities are represented by the LGBTI children.
When the dialogue between schools and parents is missing, it is more difficult to combat prejudice. Frequently, this happens due to language barriers, social and economic issues, parents working abroad and leaving children in elderly relatives’ care.
The result of this situation leads to violence in schools which is one of the most serious and spread types of violence against children. It ranges from physical to psychological and is often manifested by actions of intimidation, bullying, and suppression, all of which fostering insecurity and anxiety, harming school atmosphere, and violating students’ right to learn in a safe, non-threatened environment.
At European level, the Council of Europe seeks to eradicate classroom violence also by teaching students about human rights and democratic citizenship. In this respect, education has a crucial role in the prevention and elimination of school violence, as well as discrimination. The Charter for Education for Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights of the Council of Europe Education provides member states with an instrument for combating all types of prejudice and violence, including bullying and harassment. But everything starts with schools recognizing who may be at risk of prejudice, what they can do to reduce discrimination and violence, and how they can help at-risk kids.
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