Nadia Al-Fawwaz Saudi Gazette ABHA — A number of psychologists and social experts have stressed the importance of combating the growing number of violent incidents in schools. They said there are a number of reasons why youths and adolescents carry knives and arms into school, including protection from bullying, tribal disputes and a need to be seen as macho. Umm Ali said school violence has become a concern of parents and teachers alike. Teachers are complaining of a lack of respect from students and that tribal differences and harassment causes students to carry knives for protection. Dr. Mansour Al-Askar, associate professor of sociology at Imam Mohammad Bin Saud University, has warned of the increased level of violence in public schools. In a recent lecture at Prince Naif University, he stressed the importance of educating teachers and school principals on the dangers of what he called an “imported culture from the West”. The new generation is greatly influenced by such cultural values and violence in schools should be the concern of all, he said. Combating such incidents, he said, should begin at home and in cooperation with schools. Tribal differences should be dealt with early to avoid the possibility of them escalating into violence, he said. Monitoring committees run by student supervisors only should be set up in schools. Dr. Ali Al-Roomy, another associate sociology professor at Imam Mohammad Bin Saud University, said the lack of proper monitoring, leniency in dealing with violence, and providing excuses for students who carry arms have led to the spread of violent incidents in schools. He pointed out that research into this problem has been very weak and said such studies should be conducted to deal with the problem before it becomes a trend. Students should be educated on the proper ways to deal with problems and tribal differences in schools should be closely monitored, he said. He recommended conducting rehabilitation programs and workshops for students to help them build their personalities and thinking. Dr. Khalid Jalban, head of family and social medicine at King Khalid University, said the environment in which students are raised contributes to this problem. He pointed out that tribal differences are particularly responsible for the problem, as young people try to enforce their personalities and self esteem. Ali Al-Tamimi, member of the security committee at the Shoura Council, suggested some children are affected by family disputes during their childhood. They are raised in an environment where the father is the absolute master and abuses his wife and children to assert his authority, he claimed. In addition, he said, some children are raised in poor families and are influenced by movies where heroes carry weapons. Combating violence begins at home and with providing a stable environment for the youth, while schools should provide recreational activities to students to help them build their self-esteem in a positive way, he said.
