Safe to learn: what do teachers think and do about violence in schools?

2 in 3 of teachers surveyed manage school violence through experience and not training. Teachers need training to prevent and address school violence.

School violence occurs in all countries and affects a significant number of children and adolescents. Teachers are also adversely affected, with the violence impacting their motivation and teaching practice.

To help improve understanding of teachers’ perspectives, around 35,000 teachers, 81% of whom were from Latin America, were surveyed for a UNESCO study as part of the Safe to Learn initiative to end violence in schools.

Almost half of the teachers surveyed say they received little or no training on school violence during their pre-service education, and more than two-thirds say that they have learned how to manage school violence through experience. Three in four teachers surveyed can identify physical and sexual violence yet are less likely to recognise some forms of psychological violence.

Even if the teachers surveyed can identify school violence, and four in five say it is their responsibility to create a safe learning environment, they do not always intervene. Four in five help victims, but only half engage with students who witness violence.Teachers need training to prevent and address school violence.

Read the full report on the UNESCO Digital Library website.