Migrant parents leave behind violent children

Teachers and parents are looking for solutions to combat school violence. After the number of violent cases increased in schools across the country and in Chisinau in particular, the municipal education department has initiated a series of seminars and schools classes to counter the phenomenon, engaging parents in these activities as well, Info-Prim Neo reports. “School violence is increasingly growing due to child abandonment”, says Valentina Moraru, senior education expert in Chisinau's Buiucani district. “Whereas in the past such problems were associated with the children in boarding schools, who were either from troubled families or were orphans, today the number of violent outbursts are more and more frequent among the children whose parents are working abroad”, the expert said. Usually these children are very upset by the absence of their parents and they tend to react abnormally to criticism. They do not wish for new clothes, money or personal things, but wish to have their mum and dad by their side. The last case of school violence in Chisinau was caused by exactly such kind of a child. “That is why teachers must be very attentive to the pupils' behaviors, be informed about their family situation, and if their parents are far away they must insist on the appointment of a custodian”, says Valentina Moraru. Today, March 24, vice-principals from Buiucani schools have met with the parents at a seminar addressing teenage violence in schools. Together they are trying to find solutions and methods to prevent cases of maltreatment and violence. “The goal of the seminar is to join our efforts – society, parents, teachers and pupils – to solve the problem of violence”, says Tamara Plamadeala, the director of School no.5, which hosted the seminar. “Violence must be stopped. Today, with all the changes in the society, we have come to witness problems that only the teachers can see”, she added. Special classes were held during which the teachers discussed with the pupils problems related to violence, the attitudes and behaviors of all the parties involved in such cases and their expectations. According to expert estimates, whereas 20 years ago violence of teachers against students was prevailing, the situation has reversed in recent years. It was estimated that the main contributors to student violence are the street (75%), family (54%), and television (23%); school places last, with 21%. Under a recent ordinance issued by Education Minister, school principals will be penalized for every instance of violence that occurs in classes or elsewhere at school.