Handbook for teachers to identify and handle peer violence presented in Štip

A new handbook to help teachers identify and respond to peer violence was presented today at the Faculty of Educational Sciences of Goce Delčev University in Štip. The manual is designed as a practical guide for school staff to recognise early signs and to apply initial communication procedures.

The handbook addresses multiple forms of violence that occur among pupils: physical, emotional, sexual, social and cyber. The recommendations are aimed at the first level of intervention—so that teachers can detect incidents promptly and act before problems escalate.

Why early recognition matters

“When teachers become aware, sensitized to it, they will not let it slip through their filters, they will not ignore it, because the first level can move to the second and that represents a serious social problem,” said Trajche Stojanov, dean of the Faculty of Educational Sciences at Goce Delčev University — Štip.

Existing analyses show that many pupils do not report violence because of fear and lack of trust. Younger pupils tend to be more willing to report incidents than students in higher grades.

“No child should be afraid to go to school, just as no teacher should be left alone to face violence, because it is often easy to recognize, but sometimes teachers are not sure whether they are acting correctly. This handbook offers guidance and communication protocols on how to proceed when they encounter different types of violence,” said Daniela Koceva, university professor at the Faculty of Educational Sciences, Goce Delčev University — Štip.

According to the Ministry of Education and Science, an average of around 50 cases of peer violence in schools are reported. Organisers said the handbook seeks to improve detection and give teachers clear steps to follow when they suspect peer violence.

Viktoria Jovanova

Photo: press material from the event