May 2007.
Physical and humiliating punishments send the wrong message to children: strong ones get to decide what they want and how they want it. Children will start thinking violence can solve all kinds of problems. Save the Children Sweden finds that physical and humiliating punishment is still common in Viet Nam, and these violent practices must be stopped. At Bo De Primary School and 50 other schools in Viet Nam, we are supporting students and teachers to take action to make their school a safe learning environment.
For the past three weeks, Thuy and 19 other students have been using their break times to interview schoolmates about how they want to be treated by their parents and schoolteachers.
This is what some of them said:
“When my parents understand me better, they’ll stop beating us.”
“I don’t want to be beaten.”
“I want my parents to explain to me when I’ve done something wrong.”
“I want my parents to treat us equally.”
“I don’t want my parents to scold me when I’ve done something wrong.”
“I want my parents to discuss things that are related to me.”
Sitting next to Thuy, Hien, 11, is writing an article about caring brothers and sisters.
“It’s about my best friend’s sister. My friend says her sister treats her really well. I wish all brothers and sisters were just like her. Never hit or scold us. But love and help us.”
Save the Children Sweden and a local partner Centre for Study and Applied Science on Gender and Adolescence (CSAGA) support the children’s group to meet every month and to take on new tasks to help their schoolmates learn about their rights to a safe environment.
The group has been learning how to collect information and turn it into written pieces for the school’s bulletin board. As well as helping them express their ideas and opinions, it gives them an opportunity to bring about change.
Save the Children Sweden also works with CSAGA to help parents and teachers understand the negative impact of using physical and humiliating punishment.
“When children are punished, they feel bad. They don’t understand why their loved ones hurt them emotionally and physically,” says Tran Ban Hung, Save the Children Sweden Child Protection Programme Officer.
Since 2003, Save the Children and CSAGA have provided training for teachers and parents on using non-violent, positive, childrearing and teaching techniques that respect children’s dignity.
“Positive discipline helps children realise causes and consequences. It nurtures children to be more responsible and thoughtful about what they plan to do. Most of all, children are not harmed physically or emotionally,” Hung adds.
Nguyen Thi Hong, Deputy Director of Bo De Primary School notes the change:
“In the past, teachers hit students to correct them. They don’t know other ways to discipline the students. Today, the teachers are starting to develop ways of resolving classroom conflict and are taking up the non-violent approaches to disciplining children.”
Mai Thi Buoi, CSAGA project officer concludes that when the children know more about their rights, they can effectively communicate with their parents. They are able to talk about their rights and the need to stop using physical and humiliating punishment that hinders their development.
Thuy, Hien, and several other students at Bo De Primary School are not waiting for changes to happen. They are seeking and urging other students, teachers, and parents to make their school a more enjoyable and safer place to grow.
Photo and story by Pariphan Uawithya
May 2007