Many Vietnamese Students Feel Unsafe at Schools: UNICEF-funded Survey

A survey jointly released by the Ministry of Education and Training and UNICEF has revealed that less than 20% of Vietnamese students always feel safe at school, state media reported. According to the survey, school violence is reported to be on the rise. Between 2012 and 2013, around 1,600 violent incidents in schools happened nationwide. The survey cited results of a report from the Institute of Social and Medical Studies in 2014 covering 3,000 secondary pupils indicated that up to 80% among those said that they had suffered from school violence at least one time, including physical, mental as well as sexual violence. Surprisingly, most of the interviewed girl students said that school violence was normal and acceptable. Meanwhile, violence between students and teachers was also reported. The survey said that only 16% of the interviewed girl students said they felt safe at school, while the rate is 19% for boy students. Many students also reported being affected by family issues such as divorce and exam pressures. (giaoduc.net Dec 21, vietnamnet.vn Dec 20)