Deeply shaken after the tragedy that happened at the "Vladislav Ribnikar" school, the students of the First Belgrade High School presented to the public their proposals on the subject of school reform, media regulation and other fields that concern them.
"This is truly an indescribable tragedy that should be the last slap and a warning to our society to wake up." We are young and on our shoulders lies the responsibility to change the system in which we live and to fight for a better tomorrow - a tomorrow in which we will not be afraid to send our children to school, for education in which it is known who is a teacher and who is a student and for a country from which we will not want to leave, but to be proud of it. This case should be a wake-up call, as well as an occasion and a call for change," say the students of this Belgrade school.
Protect teachers
The students said that the upbringing of children by parents is something that is missing to a greater or lesser extent, as well as the secondary education that children should acquire at school with their teachers, teachers and professors.
"We demand that the punishments that students receive due to inappropriate behavior be tightened so that they are more aware of the consequences of what they do." With that, we also ask that the threshold of tolerance for expelling students from school be reduced, as this can deter students from making bad decisions because they are more aware of the unwanted consequences. Our priority must be the protection of vulnerable professors who are constantly attacked for the rights of students who, above all, do not respect their duties and obligations," they state.
The students of Prva Belgrade proposed to increase teachers' salaries in order to restore the reputation of the profession, which would motivate a larger number of students to study for work in education.
"Also, we are increasingly encountering completely demotivated professors who, due to low pay and their hands being tied, increasingly lose their initial enthusiasm and give up on giving their students the maximum. We invite you all to remember that by investing in education, we are investing in a long-term investment, in the most valuable thing that the country has, in future generations, on whom, as we all know, the world of tomorrow rests," the students write.
Introducing a new subject
One of the proposals is the introduction of a new school subject that would talk about building interpersonal relationships, right and wrong, subjective and objective, building discipline, respect, the duties of the individual towards family, friends and society and personal contribution and the importance of the common good for the individual. as well as basic life skills such as preparing food, changing light bulbs. This, they say, would encourage critical thinking and the expression of emotions in students.
Students worry that subjects such as music culture and physical education are neglected and that focus should be placed on them, as well as reducing the workload of teachers so that they can focus on educational work.
Introduction of preventive psychological examinations and interviews
Among the proposals are systematic screenings for students that would include mental health checks, reducing the pressure on students in the form of assessments, enforcing the law on the minimum distance between betting shops and schools, banning reality shows, stricter control of media content on the national frequency, tabloid and print front pages. media - prohibition of violence and the display of inappropriate content such as nudity or shocking scenes on the front pages.
The students demand sanctions for anyone who uses hate speech, incites and approves violence in schools on social networks and in other media, as well as a ban on promoting inappropriate values through music and art in public places.
"Show that you will not turn your head and let this pass as another in a sea of incidents and results of a bad system." Support us young people to change this world and make the older generations proud!", said the students of the First Belgrade High School and invited everyone who sees the importance of the problem to be with them "daring to change and brave enough to leave a mark!".
ZS/Green classroom
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