Noranisa Ibrahim (0732118)

“Violence in the school is a result of differences outside school. We as counselors cannot do anything about it”

Violence in schools are more serious nowadays, we can see it every day in newspapers and even YouTube. The most popular violence in schools are fighting and bullying. Violence in the school is a result of different outside means that the different races may be the factor of violence among others. This may happen in integration schools because students like to be in a same group, Chinese be friend with Chinese, Indians with Indians and Malays with Malays.

In this problem, counselors have to play their roles to overcome the violence. I firmly disagree with the topic that counselor cannot do anything. Actually, integrate students, staff and community is also apart function of counselors. Schools environment is just like an environment outside; the different is schools are smaller. The communication ways and integration apply in schools will help students practices it outside. School is not a place to learn academic subjects’ only but also social education informally and this is a process of the children development. That is why attendance of counselors can give effects to violence in schools.

In my opinion to overcome violence problems in schools is not easy, especially by counselors where have a little numbers compare with students and staffs. So, it is important to collaborate with other such as parents, staffs, principal, ministry of education and the very important is students itself. Besides get more ideas, counselors also will more understand their needs by making a survey, questionnaire and interview. After get all information counselors can do a workshop, talk or seminar to students, staffs and parents the importance of community and multicultural and also the effects of violence among races. Violence can occurs when they are not complement with each others.

Of course, counselor cannot fully resolve this problems but it still work if counselors use a flexible and effective method. It can give some input and change some of their perspective, thinking and understanding. The process is not easy, even government also take time to nourish community to live in a peace with other races. At this time, government promotes 1 Malaysia; different races life together, works together and helps each other to be the best country. In school this concept can also be applied, for example, in one class put Malay, Indian and Chinese students together, so they will communicate with each others. I had experienced in school before this, where when I am in form two my school had seven classes for my batch, then only two classes had mixed races, the others are all Malays. This automatically will encourage students be friends with all races. Nevertheless, students can also get benefit where they can study together and share ideas or knowledge. For instants, mentor mentee program where Chinese more expert in mathematics, Malays in history and Malay language. They can exchange that not only improve their academic achievement but also culture ad art of others. In addition, these programs make staffs, teachers and students understanding others different and accept even bad thing in the races.

Even though there is not recommended to be in same group but there still have benefit. When the students have a strong spirit in their same group, their will build strong relationship among them. The students also have a high level of love to their race.

In a nutshell, counselor roles as a liaison and advocate between schools and community can help reduce violence in schools. This is not impossible because students are also included as an outsider where apart of community. Means that, they can change community style from what they experiences in school and can be accepted by others.