Nordrhein-Westfalen has released a guideline for dealing with violence in schools. Trainings for de-escalation have traditionally been offered in institutions where violence is more likely to occur, such as drug rehabilitation centers, psychiatric facilities and homeless shelters. However, the guideline shows that violence is increasingly becoming a problem in schools. The guideline recommends that teachers and staff should remain calm, move to a safe area and verbally express that the attack is not acceptable. After the violence has subsided, the guideline outlines the process for reporting the incident to school administration, adhering to legal requirements and holding a conference to address the situation. While the guideline may seem like a sign of resignation to the current state of affairs, it also highlights the potential impact on future generations. The guideline is a reminder that violence is not being eradicated, but rather being managed.
North Rhine-Westphalia’s Pedagogical Bankruptcy Declaration
