A healthy learning environment repels violence

TP - Many schools in Ho Chi Minh City are implementing creative models, from "no-phone recess" to "5-no students", to create a safe, friendly learning environment and repel school violence.

Take advantage of breaks

Recess seems to be just a short break between classes, but in reality it is a “golden time” to form exercise habits, practice life skills and strengthen friendships. Many conflicts and disagreements leading to school violence originate from students not knowing what to do during recess. Making use of this time scientifically and creatively will help schools not only reduce violence, but also educate students on social skills, cooperation and solidarity.

Students of Vo Truong Toan High School (Tan Thoi Hiep Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) take advantage of recess to participate in extracurricular activities, staying away from violence.

Realizing this, since October, the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City has selected 16 schools to pilot the model of “no-phone recess”, with the hope of helping students have more vibrant, connected and healthy recess. Among them, Vo Truong Toan High School (Tan Thoi Hiep Ward) is one of the pioneering schools to implement this model.

From traditional games such as Chinese checkers, jump rope to sports tournaments and technology games, karaoke, everything is carefully arranged, creating a "party" of diverse activities for students. Not only are they entertaining, these activities also play an important role in preventing school violence. When students are active, participate in group games, and experience creativity, they learn to cooperate, share and respect each other. Small conflicts are resolved through games, team spirit is strengthened, and students have fewer opportunities to have negative conflicts.

Previously, many other schools in Ho Chi Minh City have also implemented similar models. Nguyen Thai Binh Secondary School with the model of "no-phone recess" combines physical activities, chess, reading and garden care to help students form the habit of exercising and experiencing nature. At Tran Nguyen Han High School, students participate in sports competitions, flashmob dancing, acoustic singing and exploiting the library, with attractive rewards for students who actively participate. Vo Truong Toan Secondary School also organizes experiential - career orientation topics with content on violence prevention, helping students practice situation handling skills and solidarity. These activities are illustrated through creative drawings, conveying the message of a friendly school environment, where friendship and love are respected.

The "5-no" student model

Recently, Binh Hoa ward (HCMC) launched the “5 no’s” student model. The model aims for students not to violate the law and social evils; not to fight, swear, or curse; not to violate traffic, urban, and public safety order; not to store, buy, sell, or use drugs, weapons, support tools, or firecrackers; and to strictly comply with school regulations.

When students are active, participate in group games, and experience creativity, they learn to cooperate, share, and respect each other.

Mr. Nguyen Tu Hai, Vice Chairman of Binh Hoa Ward People's Committee, suggested that schools innovate their communication methods to inform students in a lively, close and intuitive way. Instead of banning students from accessing social networks, schools should coordinate with parents and ward police to build "safe zones" on cyberspace, set up groups and associations to disseminate accurate and age-appropriate information. At the same time, this channel also helps students report violations of the law so that local authorities can promptly take corrective action.

Ms. Cao Thi Thien Phuc, Head of Student Affairs Department - Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, said that in the 2025-2026 school year, the education sector will continue to implement solutions to prevent and combat school violence. According to her, schools need to build effective information channels through homeroom teachers, supervisors and organizations to promptly grasp and handle conflicts among students, to prevent insecurity and disorder, especially at the school gate.

Units must clearly assign responsibilities, arrange competent teachers, care for vulnerable students and proactively prevent, detect and handle cases according to their authority. Ms. Phuc also suggested that each school set up a channel to receive information about school violence; strengthen legal education, life skills, self-protection skills and prevention of abuse through subjects, Youth Union - Team activities and extracurricular activities.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/moi-truong-hoc-lanh-manh-day-lui-bao-luc-post1801346.tpo