3 Ways Schools can create a safe environment for the students

There has been a growing crisis of children’s mental health in the past few years. According to a survey, there has been a huge increase in the number of hospital admissions of students due to self-harm in the last six years. The number of students expressing suicidal thoughts has been more than ever. The ‘name-calling’, bullying, vandalism, hatred-filled taunts and derogatory epithets, have become a common practice behind the school walls. A school is a place where students should feel supported, safe, respected and not rejected and dejected. With this in mind, the best schools in Gurgaon and other cities can adapt to the following policies :-

Friendly approach

Students often suffer in silence rather than opening up to their parents or teachers about the harassment and bullying they experience in school. They feel scared and believe whatever they do will not make a difference. This is when the adults have to intervene. Using a friendly gesture, talking to them about the different issues, and investing time in listening to what they are saying can help the students to develop a sense of trust in people. Once children develop trust in someone, they become pretty open with them.

Encourage reporting

Every year most of the harassment and bullying cases in schools go unreported. As the students grow older, they incline towards seclusion rather than rather than turning to adults for help. A strict and confidential policy for reporting of such activities should be established. The key is to make each and every student feel safe while reporting about any such activities. This way it is easier to gain someone’s trust and create a safe and sound environment for everyone. It is the duty of an adult to find a way of being more approachable.     

Employing qualified staff

Any top international school in Gurgaon or any other city should have qualified staff. Both teaching and non-teaching staff should have the basic knowledge of understanding the risks and resilience factors of a student. School counselors and social workers with the necessary skills and knowledge to support the students will help to ensure a safe environment for them. Encouraging them to open-up and supporting them to cope with various activities in day to day life will help to understand a student’s need. Having a ‘well-equipped’ staff is necessary to ensure a safe and sound environment for the students.