School bullying in Lithuania: problems and solutions

Mindaugas Damijonaitis

Education supply centre of Ministry of education and science of The Republic of Lithuania

Lithuanian

English

Teenager, bullying, causes, results, mental health

Analysis

Policy Makers, General public.

1 - 20 pages

Survey data of Lithuanian students in subjective self and environment assessment show that they are unhappiest in Europe (2004). 41.7% of school-age children have difficulty relating to mental health. The author presents the definitions of mental health and bullying, also he indicates the factors tha induce twit (individual, family, school and public). When presenting bullying circle author does the assumption that the majority of children are involved in bullying, even if the percentage of children who are bullied is minimal.
In Lithuania 70% of children are exposed to bullying (either directly or indirectly). Further in his article the author examines the prevalence of bullying in Lithuanian schools. Data of the analysis was gathered from four surveys of pupils, that involved in 11, 13, 15 years olds. Research shows that boys are more likely to become the object of ridicule than girls. Most of the bullied students age from 11 to 13, and most common victims are 15-year olds.
According to 1994-1998 studies, pupils who live in rural areas tend to mock other students more than those living in the city. But in 2006 the situation was quite the reverse. Lithuania according to their experiences of bullying in schools is among the leaders of all parties involved in the HBSC study. According to the author, the research reveals that a large part of Lithuanian youth suffer from bullying, violence, depression, sexual abuse, alcohol consumption and other factors, that adversely affect mental health. But so far the scope of prevention programs implemented in Lithuania is not enough. In order to ensure a healthy school environment is very important to get students involved in the implementation of prevention programs in schools and in school life in general.

This document has been chosen in order to learn more about bullying prevention programs implemented in Lithuania, to find out whether the school is working in the right direction. But many schools are limited to episodic projects, all the prevention activities carried out in the initiative of individual employees.
Some of the bullying problems solutions through the implementation of prevention programs are offered. The document reveals the role of school in preventing bullying, as well as the lack of political awareness and national attention to stop the spread of the phenomenon. The emphasis is on the main reasons for the successful implementation of prevention programs - a lack of management and school headmaster’s involvement.

http://www.smm.lt/svietimo_bukle/analizes.htm

18 School bullying in Lithuania problems and solutions.pdf

Šiauliai „Rasos“ secondary school