Luxembourg schools demand real action against violence

The presentation of the new Centre national pour victimes de violences (Centre national pour victimes de violences) has sparked a wave of reactions in the Luxembourg education community. Education Minister Claude Meisch, referring to a recent video that resonated on social media, recognised that it was only the "tip of the iceberg". The teachers' union SEW/OGBL responds: violence in schools has become a systemic problem that has long required serious solutions.

It is not only about conflicts between children. Teachers and pedagogues are increasingly becoming victims of aggression, both from pupils and parents. It is not only physical attacks, but also psychological pressure, threats and intimidation.

As early as the spring 2024 pas de vagues campaign, the union warned: violence has become a commonplace risk of the profession. One teacher said: "Bruising is just part of the job" - a sad reality for many colleagues.

One of the key gaps is the lack of a national register of incidents of violence in schools. Without reliable data, it is impossible to formulate targeted interventions. Situations with violent children are dealt with ad hoc, through isolation, mobile support or emergency "crisis plans" that exist in almost every school. But these are only temporary measures that do not solve the problem fundamentally.

SEW/OGBL emphasises that children who resort to violence are themselves in distress and need help. Their behaviour is a cry for help that cannot be ignored. But educators cannot solve these crises alone.

The union emphasises that when teachers are discouraged from responding officially "in the name of school climate", it sets a dangerous precedent. Silence erodes trust and turns schools into places of anxiety for educators and children alike.