Bullying is definitely not taken lightly in Czech education. It is one of the forms of risky behavior targeted by prevention in schools. If it occurs, there are procedures to address it and a system of corrective measures. There is also a network of organizations that can be contacted for help.
Bullying is any behaviour intended to harm, threaten or intimidate another person or group. It is the targeted and repeated use of physical and psychological attacks by an individual or a group against an individual or a group who cannot, or for various reasons cannot, defend themselves. Bullying takes many forms, recently very often appears in the online environment, then we are talking about so-called cyberbullying.
Bullying also occurs in Czech schools. Because there is a system in the Czech education system dealing with the prevention of risky behavior, bullying is systematically prevented. Although the emphasis is on prevention and prevention of bullying, it can occur at school. But the important thing is that the school can detect such behavior in time and educators know how to proceed further. There are procedures for dealing with bullying and a system of corrective measures. Bullying is definitely not taken lightly in Czech education.
Bullying and school
By law (Section 29, Act No 561/2004 Coll., the Education Act, as amended), the school has a clear responsibility for creating and maintaining a safe environment, for protecting pupils and their health, and for preventing the emergence of any forms of risky behaviour at school, including bullying. The school respects the identity and individuality of each of its pupils, rejecting violence and abuse of power in any form. At the same time, it is important that the school acknowledges the risk of bullying and communicates these values clearly. The school also sets clear rules of conduct in the school rules and the consequences of their violation.
In dealing with bullying, the school must first evaluate the seriousness of the situation and assess whether to resolve it internally or ask for support from outside (e.g. pedagogical-psychological counseling, educational care center). Schools have complete mechanisms for dealing with and preventing bullying.
Bullying and Parents
Parents and other legal guardians are responsible for the child's care and development, and they also play a decisive role in the child's upbringing. Therefore, they are informed by the school already at the prevention stage.
The parent has the right to ask for help with the problem of bullying school or a particular educator. Such suspicions or allegations should be investigated by the school. As part of the investigation and solution of the problem, legal representatives of the protagonists of bullying (aggressors, victims and witnesses) are involved in the school at the appropriate moment. The school should also work with the whole class to straighten out the relationships between classmates (again, an external expert – e.g. a pedagogical-psychological counselling centre or another organisation specialised in this field – can help with this).
Where to turn
The procedure for filing complaints and complaints is defined by the school. If the problem is not satisfactorily solved by the teaching staff, it is necessary to contact the headmaster of the school. If even then the school's reaction is not sufficient, it is possible to negotiate with the school's founder or with the Czech School Inspectorate (ČŠI). The complaint can also be submitted anonymously to ČŠI by sending it to Fráni Šrámka 37, 150 21 Praha 5 or electronically to posta@csicr.cz.
Although bullying in itself is not punishable, it can fulfil the characteristics of certain offenses and crimes. In such a case, any citizen is obliged to report the commission of the crime to the police authority or the public prosecutor without delay. At this point, however, it is necessary to mention the need to respect the principle of the presumption of innocence and not to commit the crime of false accusation.
For advice and assistance, you can contact Minimize Bullying , Anti-bullying Community, Internet Counselling , Safety Line (also on 116 111) and other non-profit organisations.
In the case of cyberbullying, in particular the National Safer Internet Centre and the E-Security Portal; in the case of cyberbullying by educators, on the E-Danger for teachers. For example, you can report illegal content online at Stop online.