Empowering Educators: A Collaborative approach to School Safety

In a concerted effort to bolster school safety, a complete training program focused on school violence prevention was recently conducted for 200 basic education teachers in teh municipality of Ahumada. This initiative, drawing participation from over 20 units and civil society organizations, marks a notable step towards creating a more secure and supportive learning surroundings for students.

Multi-Agency Collaboration for Comprehensive Support

Spearheaded by the Ministry of Education and Sports (SEYD), in conjunction wiht the “Together for Chihuahua” Addiction and Violence Prevention Table, the event took place at the Bertha chiu municipal gymnasium. This collaborative approach underscores the importance of a unified front in addressing the complex issue of school violence.The involvement of diverse organizations, including the State Attorney General’s Office, the chihuahuan School Orientation Group (GOECHI) of the State Investigation Agency (AEI), and various centers focused on youth integration and human rights, highlights the multi-faceted nature of the support system being built.

The participating organizations included:

• State attorney General’s Office
• Chihuahuan School Orientation Group (GOECHI) of the State Investigation agency (AEI)
• Center for Ministry Carrera Sehedi AC
• Youth integration centers
• State Human Rights Commission
• Center for justice for Women (CEJUM)
• Executive Commission for Victims of the State of Chihuahua (CEAVE)
• Center for Adolescents El Camino

A First for the Region: Prioritizing Education, Health, and Security

Maurilio Fuentes Estrada, Undersecretary of Education in the North Zone, emphasized the groundbreaking nature of this event, noting that it is the first of it’s kind in the region. He stressed the importance of equipping teachers with actionable protocols across three key areas: education, health, and security. These protocols are designed to serve as a roadmap for fostering a thriving school community.

Bringing this conversation to the city of ahumada is very significant for us to give all teachers the protocols for action on three main topics: education, health and security, because they are the guideline for a community to live in the school environment.
Maurilio Fuentes Estrada, Undersecretary of Education in the North Zone

Sharing experiences, Shaping Strategies: A Unique Opportunity

the training program provided a valuable platform for educators to exchange experiences, learn from best practices, and collaboratively develop effective strategies for creating safer and more supportive learning environments.This emphasis on shared learning and collaborative problem-solving is crucial for fostering a sense of ownership and collective duty in addressing school violence.

according to a recent study by the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2020–21, about 46 percent of public schools reported that bullying occured among students at least once a week. This highlights the urgent need for proactive measures like the Ahumada training program.

Local Government Support: Reinforcing Violence Prevention Efforts

Gerardo Hernández escudero, representing Ahumada’s municipal president, Iván Rodelo Espejo, echoed the sentiment that this event provides teachers with essential tools for preventing violence in schools. The local government’s support underscores the community-wide commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of students.

For us it is indeed very critically important as there had never been anything similar and I think it is very important for the safety of students and stop violence, bullying.
Gerardo Hernández Escudero, representing Ahumada’s municipal president

looking Ahead: Building a Culture of Safety and Respect

The School Violence Prevention Conversation in Ahumada represents a proactive and collaborative approach to addressing a critical issue. By empowering teachers with the knowledge,skills,and resources they need to create safer and more supportive learning environments,this initiative paves the way for a brighter future for students in the region. Continued investment in similar programs and ongoing collaboration between educational institutions, government agencies, and community organizations will be essential for sustaining these positive changes and fostering a culture of safety and respect in schools.