Plan Vietnam helps teachers to stop violence in schools

In June, Plan Vietnam was invited by the Teacher Training College in Hanoi to train 500 future teachers in positive discipline. Plan’s staff explained the concept of positive discipline to future teachers and what this means when dealing with pupils in schools. Positive discipline encourages teachers to use non-violent methods in the classroom and to treat children more as equals allowing them to take more responsibility for their own behaviour.

 Participating students actively took part in the session by challenging Plan’s experts with situations they have faced during their teacher trainings. Through an open discussion students learnt how to discipline pupils positively without using violence. "The term ‘positive discipline’ is quite new to many of us. The presentation is really helpful and I will try to apply what I’ve learnt today in my class and my family", a student said.

 This was the second time Plan was contacted by the college to train senior teachers and the session is now part of the academic curriculum. "This empirical experience is really helpful for the students, preparing them well for their future career as a teacher or an education official", said Mr. Vu Ngoc Phuong, College Deputy Director.

Studies have shown that teachers receiving training on alternative discipline methods are more favourable to abolishing corporal punishment than teachers who have not received training. Since the launch of Learn Without Fear, more than 4,300 teachers have been trained in school violence issues in Vietnam and over 19,000 globally. Teachers are key partners in succeeding to eliminate violence against children in schools.

Read the positive discipline training manual developed by Plan Vietnam