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Presentation of the findings from the first national survey on bullying and extremism in the Education System in Albania

The findings of the first national-wide survey on all levels of pre-university education aimed at defining the prevalence and characteristics of bullying in schools were presented at a conference which took place in Tirana last week. This survey was conducted in 141 schools in 12 regions in Albania in the frame of the joint EU/CoE action “Fighting bullying and extremism in the education system in Albania”.

According to the Council of Europe “National Survey on Bullying and Extremism in the Education System in Albania”:

  • 20% of the Albanian students in all levels of pre-university education from 4-12 grades are involved in the phenomenon of bullying.
  • 45% of the students claimed psychological, 37% verbal and 33% physical bullying as the most widespread forms of manifestation of this phenomenon. 
  • boys are more involved in the phenomenon of bullying in all categories as aggressors and girls as victims.
  • bullying is more presented in the 11th and 5th grade and according to students the “hot spots”, where bullying happens, are the classroom (with the teacher out of the room), the playground and the hallways. 
  • 73% of the interviewed teachers claimed that physical appearance is the main motive of bullying.
  • 77% of teachers ascertained that they did not get any training on such issues and a considerable part claimed uncertainty on dealing with such controversial cases.
  • 87 % of teachers and parents suggested that the most effective way to address bullying would be an anti-bullying school policy and continuous training of the teachers and school staff to prevent and deal with these cases.
  • according to teachers, 1 out of 5 students uses extremist or “hate” terms, while 1 out of 6 teachers uses these terms.
  • 98% of teachers believe that the most effective strategies to prevent extremism in schools are discussions with students on the consequences of violent extremism, teaching students conflict resolution techniques including mediation and informing parents and teachers to recognise early signs of extremisation and radicalization.

This quantitative research was conducted in cooperation with the Faculty of Social Sciences in Albania and the Institute for Public Opinion Studies and in close partnership with the Ministry of Education and Sports based on the Olweus questionnaire as the main standardised instrument adapted to the Albanian context.

A sample of 6907 interviewers comprising 2377 students, 3560 teachers and 970 parents were interviewed in this national survey during January-March 2017.

The main findings from the national survey on bullying and extremism in the education system in Albania

 

Tirana 21 April 2017
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The Council of Europe assists in enhancing the protection of the rights of vulnerable groups by applying anti-discriminatory approaches in the formal education system in Albania based on Council of Europe standards and practices. This project is being implemented in close cooperation and partnership with the Ministry of Education and Sport. It will also include a broader group of national partners and stakeholders, including education policy and research institutes, selected pilot schools, local communities, media and NGOs, teacher training and youth organisations.

The Project is co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe as a part of the European Union – Council of Europe Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey and is implemented by the Council of Europe Education Department in cooperation with the Council of Europe Office in Tirana. The duration of the project is set at 32 months and it is expected to be completed by 31 January 2019, with an overall budget of 600,000 Euros.

 

Expected project results

The overall objective of the project is to find effective means to fight bullying and extremism in the education system in Albania, in line with Council of Europe standards. The first specific objective is to support relevant institutions in creating a safe learning environment through fighting bullying and extremism in the education system. This specific objective shall be accomplished through the achievement of the following results:

  • Pilot schools have developed and started putting in place mechanisms to prevent bullying and to respond to the ideological challenge of extremism.
  • Pupils experience a safe and supportive learning atmosphere.
  • Moral values of inclusion and respect are taught as a part of the school culture.

The second specific objective is to improve educational professionals’ skills by increasing their knowledge and competencies on how to prevent and to deal with cases of bullying and extremism. This specific objective shall be accomplished through the achievement of the following results:

  • Knowledge on bullying is improved through the development of resources for schools based on data from studies and best practices.
  • The capacity of teachers and school management to deal with controversial issues, bullying and extremism is enhanced through the creation of resource packs.
  • Educational professionals are conscious of the issue as a result of the organisation of training sessions, roundtables, workshops, conferences, awareness-raising activities and a peer to peer study visit.

The third specific objective is to raise awareness on what bullying is, how it impacts children, what the consequences of bullying are, and how to prevent it. This specific objective shall be accomplished through the achievement of the following results:

  • Increased awareness and improved knowledge at school, community and central level of the consequences of bullying and extremism in the education system.

 

This webpage has been produced using funds of a joint project between the European Union and the Council of Europe. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union.