A quarter of students in Drenthe and Groningen feel unsafe at school. ‘Society is hardening and teachers see this reflected in schools’

Bullying behavior is rife and more than half of students sometimes see discrimination at school, according to a study by Trendbureau Drenthe and Social Planning Office Groningen. The researchers conducted a survey among 854 students from both provinces and conducted classroom discussions at schools based on the results.

Problems of bullying and discrimination are increasing

“It is the first time we are conducting this survey, so we have no comparison material,” says researcher Evelien Mulder. “However, teachers and school leaders tell us that the problem of bullying and discrimination is increasing. Society is hardening, they see this reflected in the schools.”

Bullying has always existed, but outright discrimination based on your skin color, (alleged) sexual orientation or your level of education is increasing as society becomes more colorful. “Discrimination is making a distinction on a ground that does not matter,” Mulder gives as a definition. “For young people, this could mean, for example, that they are shouted at or not allowed to participate.”

No ‘snitch’

Of the young people interviewed, 52 percent say they encounter discrimination at school. Online that percentage is 59 percent. Discrimination in the residential environment is 30 percent less common.

Mulder points out that discrimination is prohibited by law. However, young people often do not know where to report this. “And even if they do know, they are often reluctant. They then say they don’t have any snitcher want to be a (snitch). Moreover, half of young people never talk about discrimination.”

Practical school

Mulder cannot say which forms of discrimination students complain about most. “We did not ask for this to give children the space to speak freely.” However, there is a striking statement in the report of a teacher at a practical school: ‘Students at our school often hear comments about their level of education. They hardly see this as discrimination anymore, because they hear it so often.’

“These children do not hear this at school, but outside,” says Mulder. “People then have a condescending opinion about their level of education, instead of appreciating their talents and good qualities.”

Parents come first

When students encounter discrimination, they prefer to pour their hearts out to someone they trust. Parents come first. But there must also be an opportunity at school for both the students themselves and their parents to report this.

Mulder: “It is important that children have several people they can turn to. For example, you may not get along very well with your mentor, so it is useful to have someone else there. And because children are afraid that bullying will only get worse if they are mistaken for a snitch, it is also important that you can report something anonymously.”