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Find out moreHow bullying differs from conflict
Researcher at the Laboratory of Educational Law, Institute of Education, National Research University At the beginning of the discussion, HSE Professor Nadezhda Knyaginina emphasized the importance of distinguishing between bullying and conflict. These terms are often perceived as synonyms, but there is a fundamental difference between them. Understanding these differences is essential for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies in the educational environment. In Russian law, the term "bullying" is not officially defined. However, in academic and practical terms, it is understood as the systematic use of violence—physical, psychological, or verbal—against one or more victims. Bullying causes serious harm to the physical and mental health of the victim, undermining their self-esteem and self-worth. It is important to note that bullying does not stop on its own and requires the active intervention of third parties to stop it. Understanding this phenomenon and responding promptly to it are essential to protecting victims and creating a safe environment.
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Bullying is a form of aggressive behavior that manifests itself in the systematic harassment and intimidation of the victim. It can occur in various environments, such as school, the workplace, and social media. In the school environment, bullying often manifests as physical, verbal, or emotional abuse from peers. Adults may also experience bullying in the workplace, where coworkers or superiors may resort to humiliation and manipulation. On social media, bullying takes the form of online aggression, where victims are subjected to harassment, insults, and cyberbullying. Understanding and recognizing bullying are important steps toward preventing it and ensuring the safety of both children and adults in all life situations. Conflict arises when opposing interests, views, or goals of individuals or groups clash. It is important to note that in such situations, the parties are on equal footing. Examples of conflicts include a student complaining about an "unfair" grade on a test or a parent asking, "Why do you choose to read Iskander's works instead of Pushkin?" These situations illustrate how differences in opinion can lead to conflict in the educational environment. Understanding the causes of conflict and resolving them is an important part of the learning process and interactions between students, parents, and teachers.
If the parties are unable to reach an agreement on their own, the conflict can be resolved through mediation. In this process, a third party helps participants express their opinions, identify common interests, and reach a compromise. For example, a vice principal or school director can evaluate the validity of a grade and explain to parents which literary works are included in the compulsory and optional curriculum. This approach not only helps resolve the conflict but also strengthens mutual understanding between all participants in the educational process.
Bullying is a form of violence characterized by asymmetry. The reasons for bullying are typically not constructive: both teachers and students are persecuted for unusual appearance, insufficient funds for clothing, or peculiar speech patterns. Young teachers just beginning their careers in school are especially vulnerable. It is important to note that the motive for bullying does not correspond to its underlying causes—they are often complex and arise from negative dynamics within the group, as Nadezhda Knyaginina emphasizes. Understanding these aspects of bullying is key to preventing it and creating a safe educational environment.
Tension builds up within a group, which can ultimately result in violence against those around them. In such circumstances, the traditional approach to conflict resolution, which involves listening to all sides and seeking a compromise, is ineffective. Alternative conflict management strategies are needed to help reduce stress and prevent aggression within a team.
Bullying negatively impacts not only the victim but also all members of the group, including witnesses. Therefore, bullying is primarily the responsibility of school administration, not just the teacher. This opinion was supported by all participants in the panel discussion. It is important to recognize that creating a safe and supportive school environment requires the active participation of administration, which must implement effective anti-bullying measures and ensure the protection of all students.
Teachers face serious challenges when bullying occurs in the classroom. This negatively impacts both students and the teacher. Students experience fear and stress, realizing the possibility of conflicts. Other teachers also feel anxious, wondering: "What if this happens to me?" In such a situation, the primary responsibility lies with the school principal. They must immediately respond to any manifestations of bullying to prevent further consequences, which may require significant efforts to resolve the problem. Effective prevention and a quick response to the early signs of violence in an educational institution are key to creating a safe educational environment.
How to Prevent Bullying of a Teacher
Nadezhda argues that prevention is an effective way to combat bullying. This includes working with group dynamics and creating healthy relationships both in the classroom and in the school as a whole. Unfortunately, according to the speaker, the problem of bullying is most often noticed only after it occurs, and preventive measures are taken too late. Prevention must be a priority for educational institutions to ensure a safe and supportive environment for all students.
Measures aimed at combating bullying in schools can take a variety of forms. Pavel Severinets, Director of the Khoroshevskaya School, shares his experience, based on many years of work in school education. He encountered bullying as a young teacher, perceived as inexperienced, and as a new principal, predicted to fail. The problem of bullying requires a comprehensive approach, including teacher training, parental involvement, and creating a safe environment for students. Effective measures can include bullying awareness programs, counseling for victims and bullies, and regular meetings to discuss problems and find solutions. It is important for each school to develop its own strategies and approaches, tailored to the unique conditions and needs of its community.
The speaker emphasizes the importance of informing teachers and school administration about the problem of bullying and implementing relevant training. Last year, Khoroshkola completed training on an anti-bullying program created by the "Travli NET" project. The director notes that this program contributes to the development of an effective anti-bullying system, enabling the timely identification and response to warning signs. Pavel notes that any changes to a familiar way of life can cause anxiety in people, which in some cases leads to bullying. Therefore, school administration must take measures in advance to minimize negative consequences. Creating a safe and supportive environment in educational institutions will reduce stress levels and prevent conflicts among students. One common situation in the educational process is the departure of a beloved teacher and the appointment of a new one. Students and their parents will likely greet the replacement with mistrust, not giving the new teacher a chance to demonstrate their abilities and qualities. This risk increases if the new teacher differs from the traditional image of the "ideal teacher," for example, in age, appearance, or teaching methods. It's important to recognize that the perception of a new teacher can impact the classroom atmosphere and learning. Openness to innovation and a willingness to change can play a key role in the successful adaptation of a new professional.
According to an administration representative, one of the main goals is to prevent potential tension and foster a positive perception of the upcoming changes. To achieve this, the school uses an "introduction sheet," which is distributed to classes in advance. In this document, the teacher shares their achievements and the students' results, which helps create a positive first impression and build trust between the teacher and students.
Clinical psychologist and expert of the "Travli NET" project, Marina Rtishcheva, notes that teachers can independently initiate preventive measures against bullying. She emphasizes that parents' complaints often stem from legitimate concerns—the desire for their child to successfully pass the Unified State Exam and enter a prestigious university. This is precisely the problem that needs to be addressed, and a targeted approach is the most effective.
Communication with parents can be compared to the dynamics of financial markets, where the contagion effect plays a significant role. Rumors, emotions, and discussions spread quickly, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and anxiety. It is important for teachers to build strong working relationships with opinion leaders in the parent community. Instead of explaining every detail to all parents, it is enough to convey the information to the key person who can pass it on. This will help create a positive discussion among parents about the qualities of the teacher and innovative programs, which, in turn, will increase trust in the educational process and help students more quickly enter prestigious universities.
What should a teacher do if bullying has already begun?
Speakers note that methods for combating bullying vary depending on the source of bullying, be it students, parents, or fellow teachers. However, experts have provided several universal recommendations for teachers who are victims of bullying. These tips will help educators effectively manage the situation and create a safer and more supportive educational environment.
- Find a source of support. If you are currently experiencing a traumatic situation and are experiencing severe stress, you cannot be left alone with it. "Sometimes, to cope with something, we just need to talk about it, hear someone else's opinion, words of support. Realizing that everything is okay with me, it's not my fault, and this can't be done to me," says Marina Rtishcheva. This could be a conversation with loved ones or a call to a psychological support hotline (for example, specialists at "Travli NET" provide this support free of charge). According to the psychologist, this is the first step to regaining a sense of control and, in a calmer state, analyzing the situation and taking further steps to resolve the problem.
- Contact the school administration. As mentioned above, bullying doesn't go away on its own. Therefore, if you encounter bullying, you should report it to the school principal. And be sure to call a spade a spade: not "I have a conflict with students," but "Students have been systematically bullying me for a month now."
- Resign if the school administration refuses to address the problem. And especially if the bullying is committed by the administration itself.
The issue of seeking compensation for moral damages in cases of bullying by students requires careful consideration. According to experts such as Nadezhda Knyaginina, legal proceedings in most cases do not lead to the desired results and may prove ineffective. Instead, it is better to focus on resolving the problem within the school. Involving the school administration and actively collaborating with teachers and psychologists can yield faster and more constructive results in the fight against bullying. Therefore, instead of legal action, it is worth considering the possibility of creating a safe and supportive educational environment, which will ultimately help better protect the affected students.
Schoolchildren are considered incompetent because they are minors, and parents are not liable for their actions with their property unless they are present at the time of the bullying. This means that obtaining compensation in such cases will be difficult. However, if students steal or damage a teacher's personal belongings, this is considered a crime and entails financial liability. It is important to understand that in such situations, protecting teachers' rights may require legal action and the involvement of appropriate authorities.
