Increasing violence at schools: Headmaster raises the alarm!

Increasing violence at schools: Headmaster raises the alarm!

In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania there is a serious topic on the table: increasing violence in schools. This became clear at the current Conference of Education of the federal states, which takes place at Bothmer Castle in Klütz from June 25th to 27th. Headmaster and parents are urgently demanding a discussion about this problem, while at the same time there are digital equipment and teaching impression on the agenda. [Ostsee-Zeitung] (https://www.ostsee-zeitung.de/Mecklenburg-Vorpommern/mv-schulleiter-und-elternrat-balendendendende-get-an-chen-dfqwcnts5jcwldm2peaoadgatui.html) reports that the legalization of cannabis is increasingly is tabooed.

Steffen Kästner, headmaster of the CJD Christophorus School, has observed that students in particular regularly consume cannabis from grade 10. He emphasizes that the lessons are not directly impaired, but the effects on academic achievements are unmistakable. This topic goes hand in hand with the problem of right -wing extremism, about Felix Wizowsky, the chairman of the MV State student council. Events from this direction are already affected by everyday life in schools.

digital pact and everyday school life

Another topic that is discussed at the Ministerial Conference is the digital pact 2.0. The first digital pact has provided a total of 6.5 billion euros, but German school portal reveals that the funds are now almost used up. The digital pact 2.0 should continue, but remains behind the expectations. Many schools, especially in disadvantaged area, complain about inadequate technical equipment and continuous improvement needs.

According to a survey of June 2023, 50 percent of teachers see great need for action, while 61 percent report that the digital devices at their location are inadequate. Nevertheless, 69 percent of the teachers are convinced that they feel competently in dealing with digital media.

mental health and school psychologists

Another urgent problem is the mental health of the students. The Federal School Conference calls for an improvement in support and a nationwide regulation for school psychologists: a psychologist to 300 students and a social worker to 150 students. This necessity is underpinned by the results of the youth study 2024, which shows a lack of access on important topics such as psychological stress and stress in schools. DW reports that over 40 percent of teachers notice violence and bullying in schools.

The demand for more personnel in the field of school psychology is getting louder, especially since the aftermath of Corona pandemic is far from overcome. After a long lockdown, many students have difficulty dealing with stress and conflicts, which is also attributed to excessive cell phone consumption.

Finally, it can be said that the challenges that the educational landscape is facing are multi -layered. Whether it is violence in schools, digital equipment or the mental health of the students: it is time that everyone involved - from teachers to parents to politics - pulls together.