An action held in Ferizaj, which was announced by the Kosovo Police this Friday, returned to the attention of the public opinion for school safety.

The action, which resulted in the confiscation of some firearms, knives and other means of violence, shows the worrying security situation of students in schools, according to security experts.

Security expert Fadil Kajtazi, in a statement to the Telegraph, said that the main factor that has caused this situation is poor management in education, starting from the ministerial level to school directorates.

"Political preferences in appointments, nepotism and corruption have prevailed in the management sector, which has scandalized the system during the selection of teaching staff.

"This is a national problem, which is not solved by an individual or a party", declared Kajtazi.

"Putting this system on track requires a general social consensus, which may be painful at the moment, but which will provide the country with perspective.

This is not done by militants, nor by pseudo-intellectuals, who have been producing our universities for 20 years.

This is done by true, patriotic and dedicated professionals, who I think still exist in our long-suffering Kosovo ”.

He further said that the results of the latest police action in Ferizaj are a reflection of the general situation in which Kosovar society is.

"The economic crisis that has gripped the country - unemployment, feelings of hopelessness has caused a psychological effect of general social insecurity and deviant tendencies of various strata, especially youth," said Kajtazi, adding that violence in schools is a phenomenon in itself, influenced by the above-mentioned factors, but "in particular by the defects of the educational system".

The reason for the latter, as he said, are the experiments that have been continuously done to the education system as well as the political interventions in the management.

"Unfortunately, education is in a crisis which has been pushed into the abyss by the pandemic.

Due to the reduced political interventions in the clans, we have a weak leadership framework of the municipal directorates of education, then of the school principals and as a whole lack of level of the educational process, which is reflected in the low level of knowledge of the students. "Lack of discipline and favoring the development of deviant activities in schools, where bullying, drug addiction, carrying weapons have become fashionable among young people."

While, the other security expert, Avni Islami, says that one of the main factors of this situation is the illegal possession of weapons by citizens.

According to him, children are the mirror of the family.

While adding that it is worrying how children have access to the weapons that their family members keep illegally at home.

"The issue of illegal possession of weapons is a problem that involves many factors.

"So, the illegal weapons that circulate in the hands of the citizens - according to the data are over 300 thousand - but despite the numbers, it seems that the number is large and the problem of weapons starts from the family".

"In our society there is no awareness, so in the family they are not trained to carry a weapon and use it.

Children are the mirror of the family.

This is disturbing.

A child takes the gun from the family, which is not handling the problem properly.

"This is the first institution that has to deal with this problem."

The second institution after the family that has to deal with this issue, according to Islam, is the school, which should monitor the behaviors and actions of students.

"Since there are no apparatus for identifying students in schools, such as special booths for checking people passing by, the principal and teachers must work with students and monitor their movements."

The Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Information, Arbërie Nagavci, also stated about this issue, saying that they are treating it with priority.

In a Facebook post, she wrote that there is an urgent need for reflection regarding the condition and safety of students in schools.

"I thank the Kosovo Police for the action carried out near the schools in Ferizaj, where weapons and tools of violence were seized.

"From this action and these findings we learn the urgent need for reflection in our society regarding the condition and safety of students, respectively our children", wrote Nagavci.

She also announced that they have established the National Forum for Friendly Schools, which will monitor the security situation in schools.

"In the Ministry of Education we are treating this issue with priority and in addition to advancing educational policies, we have recently established the National Forum for Friendly Schools, which will monitor the situation of safety, increase well-being and healthy development of children. / students in schools for the purpose of advising, evaluating and orienting integrated inter-institutional actions ”.

However, he said that the role of teachers in education is key, "since they are the first point of contact with children in school".

"But school managements and municipal education directorates need to be more accountable and address concerns about student safety."

Further, Nagavci added that they are working in order to make structural changes in the education system.

"But phenomena like this do not expect the long-term impact of education policies.

"Being aware that we are facing difficult individual, family, social and economic situations, but I ask parents to keep the focus on the children and make sure that everything is okay with them."

"I am convinced that a closer relationship between the institution and the family will improve this situation.

We all need to get involved.

Together for the safety and future of our children! ”, Concluded Minister Nagavci.

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Telegraphy

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