School Initiative Prevents Violence with Dedicated Assistants

The pilot project at Milan Vuković Elementary School in Herceg Novi has successfully reduced incidents of violence and vandalism among students. According to the school’s director, Mare Vujinović, the initiative, which began last year, has proven effective in preventing conflicts before they escalate.

Vujinović highlighted that the school has recorded only a few instances of psychological issues and minor physical altercations, all of which were resolved through established protocols without any escalation. She emphasized, “Our school maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward violence, and we address incidents openly rather than sweeping them under the rug.”

The Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation did not respond to inquiries regarding the role of assistants in preventing violence and vandalism. Currently, only schools with more than 700 students are eligible to have such assistants.

Last year, the Herceg Novi school signed a tripartite agreement with the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and the Ministry of Education, which enabled them to hire an assistant under a work contract for ten months. Vujinović noted that they are the only school in the Boka region participating in this pilot program and the first to have a dedicated assistant.

Since September 1, 2023, the assistant’s contract has been extended for 30 days to align with new regulations regarding staffing in schools offering public education programs. These changes, outlined in Article 42b, allow schools with over 700 students to employ such personnel, which includes Milan Vuković Elementary School.

Vujinović stated that the assistant’s role extends beyond responding to incidents; they are also responsible for identifying potential threats and preventing incidents from occurring. The assistant’s responsibilities are closely tied to student safety and the protection of school property, as defined in their job description.

The school actively combats violence and vandalism through continuous education for students, with significant contributions from a psychologist and class teachers. Workshops from the “Skills for Adolescence” program, student parliament activities, and open communication with parents have garnered strong parental support.

Key challenges ahead include intensifying workshops for younger students to teach non-violent behavior from an early age. Vujinović pointed out that early exposure to social interaction skills is crucial, especially for children who may not receive these lessons at home.

Training for assistants occurs at the Police Academy in Danilovgrad and lasts for 35 days. Candidates must meet specific requirements, including a valid driver’s license, Montenegrin citizenship, and proof of physical and mental fitness. Additionally, they must provide documentation verifying they have no criminal record or past convictions for violent offenses.

Recently, the government announced plans to implement physical security in certain schools starting October 1, 2023, to further combat peer violence. Approval has been granted for physical security personnel to be deployed in 68 primary schools, 44 secondary schools, and one student dormitory until December 31, 2023.

The executive authority explained that this temporary measure proved effective during the last school year and is intended as a transitional solution. They have proposed establishing a permanent system of protection through the hiring of school police or other security arrangements in collaboration with the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Funding for this initiative amounts to €418,200, which will cover the employment of 205 security personnel.