IN A LITTLE over two months, police have recorded no less than 50 violent incidents in public and private schools – some ending in fatalities and physical harm but the most incalculable consequence is lingering trauma among the students.
The first recorded incident happened on June 16, just after the beginning of the new school year at a private school in General Trias City in Cavite where a Grade 8 student entered a Grade 5 classroom, brandishing a knife which he loosely swung, stabbing at least seven children.
The Cavite incident heightened public concern about campus security and the factors that may have led to such youth behavior.
On June 22, two students managed to sneak firearms into the San Jose National High School in Tacloban City and opened fire, killing three other students and wounding 20 more.
The latest shooting incident happened last week at the Ateneo de Zamboaga where the pupil, who held two guns, recorded himself shooting at the students (which many said was actually aimed at the teacher) before shooting himself. The video went viral and brought shock to the nation, but authorities are now prohibiting the sharing of said personal video of the gunwielder.
Following the Ateneo de Zamboanga shooting, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Wednesday said his agency would review current policies on campus security to include private schools.
Many causes of campus violence have been raised along with the proposed solution– mostly dealing harshly on the violent content and gaming on social media with many proposing banning cellphones in schools, some attributed the violence to loose security and others to lack of discipline by parents and guardians at home.
Data released by the Philippine National Police Data -Public Information Office (PIO) showed that between June 16 and August 19 there were 26 alleged bomb threats, 12 alleged shooting threats, four stabbing incidents, four arrests for illegal possession of firearms, two death threats and two shooting incidents. (This does not even contain reports on hazing and fraternity rambles).
An article on The National PTA– the oldest and largest child advocacy group in the United States for 125 years– cited 10 possible ways to ease the phenomenon on campus violence, namely:
● Talk to Your Children. Keeping the lines of communication open with your children and teens is an important step to keeping involved in their schoolwork, friends, and activities. Use phrases like “tell me more” and “what do you think” to show your children that you are listening and are interested in their opinions, ideas, and how they view the world.
Start important discussions with your children—about violence, smoking, drugs, sex, drinking, death—even if the topics are difficult or embarrassing. Don’t wait for your children or teens to come to you.
● Set Clear Rules and Limits for Your Children. Children need clearly- defined rules and limits so that they know what is expected of them and the consequences for not complying. But be sure children understand the purpose behind the rules and enforce them consistently.
Discipline is more effective if children have been involved in establishing the rules and in deciding the consequences. Show your children through your actions how to adhere to rules and regulations, be responsible, have empathy toward others, control anger, and manage stress.
● Know the Warning Signs. Knowing what’s normal behavior for your son or daughter can help you recognize even small changes in behavior and give you an early warning that something is troubling your child.
Sudden changes—from subtle to dramatic—should alert parents to potential problems. Such changes could include withdrawal from friends, declining grades, abruptly quitting sports or clubs the child had previously enjoyed, sleep disruptions, eating problems, evasiveness, lying, and chronic physical complaints (stomachache or headaches).
● Know When to Intervene. Parents need to intervene when children exhibit behavior or attitudes that could potentially harm them or others. But don’t deal with problems alone but have parents, school, and health professionals working together to provide ongoing monitoring and support.
● Stay Involved in Your Child’s School. Show your children you believe education is important and that you want them to do their best in school by being involved in their education. Get to know your child’s teachers and help them get to know you and your child. Communicate with your child’s teachers throughout the school year, not just when problems arise.
Stay informed of school events, class projects, and homework assignments. Attend all parent orientation activities and parent-teacher conferences. Help your children seek a balance between schoolwork and outside activities. Parents must support school rules and goals.
● Join PTA or Violence Prevention Coalition. According to the National Crime Prevention Council, the crime rate can be decreased by 30 percent with a community-wide violence prevention initiative. All parents, students, school staff, and members of the community need to be a part of creating safe school environments for children. Many PTAs and other school-based groups are working to identify the problems and causes of school violence and possible solutions for violence prevention.
● Help to Organize a Community Violence Prevention Forum. Parents, school officials, and community members working together can be the most effective way to prevent violence in schools.
● Help Develop A School Violence Prevention and Response Plan. School communities that have violence prevention plans and crisis management teams in place are more prepared to identify and avert potential problems and to know what to do when a crisis happens.
The most effective violence prevention and response plans are developed in cooperation with school and health officials, parents, and community members. These plans include descriptions of school safety policies, early warning signs, intervention strategies (including district-wide policies that ensure secure firearm storage education), emergency response plans, and post-crisis procedures.
● Know How to Deal With the Media in a Crisis. Good public relations and media relations start with understanding how the media works and what they expect from organizations that issue press releases, hold press conferences, and distribute media kits.
● Work to Influence Lawmakers. Writing an editorial for the local newspaper, holding a petition drive, speaking before a school board meeting, or sending a letter to your legislator can be effective ways to voice your opinion and gain support from decision makers for violence prevention programs in the community.