Teachers, principals and parents create observatory to monitor indiscipline in schools

Organizations representing teachers, school directors and parents launched this Friday the Observatory of School Coexistence, an initiative that aims to help report and monitor indiscipline in schools.

The initiative is from the National Education Federation (FNE), in collaboration with the National Confederation of Parents’ Associations (Confap), the National Association of Directors of Groups and Public Schools (ANDAEP) and the Association for Training and Research in Education and Work (AFIET).

“In previous scripts for the legislature, we had already challenged the Ministry of Education to create an observatory for issues of violence and indiscipline, as we felt that, year after year, the problems were getting worse,” the secretary general of FNE.

In the absence of a response from the guardianship, but with the support of other organizations, the federation decided not to wait any longer and the Observatory of School Coexistence was launched today, with the launch of an online platform for complaints.

“We want to create mechanisms in which events can be reported, by students, teachers or educational assistants, and we also want to promote research work that allows, at the end of each year, to present a report”, explained Pedro Barreiros.

Within the scope of the Observatory, a working group will be created with representatives from all organizations involved.

“The more comprehensive, the better”, highlighted the union leader, noting that, in addition to Confap, ANDAEP and AFIET, they are still awaiting a response from the Order of Psychologists, which also expressed interest in collaborating in the initiative.

“It is so urgent that, having the support of these organizations, it is beneficial that it is presented now, so that others can join”, he added.

Among other issues, the Observatory of School Coexistence will focus on cases of ‘bullying’ and ‘cyberbullying’, which FNE says are taking on an increasingly significant dimension in the day-to-day life of schools.