50+ Teachers’ Efforts in Habitualizing a Culture of Peace in Schools with PeaceGen
PeaceGen.Id – To this day, the issue of bullying remains a significant challenge for us as educators. Research indicates that schools implementing child-friendly principles are better equipped to prevent various forms of violence and bullying. This is achieved by emphasizing mutual respect between teachers and students, involving parents and the community, and establishing school policies that prioritize children's rights and safety.
Creating a safe, comfortable, and joyful school environment is an effort we must champion to fulfill our hopes for child protection within an inclusive educational setting. In line with this, PeaceGen Academy invited elementary, middle, and high school teachers to join a discussion in the Holistic Best Practices Webinar: Strengthening a Safe, Comfortable, and Joyful School Culture on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
Approximately 50 teachers joined the session to delve into best practices for bullying prevention and management with PeaceGen Academy. The event began with a survey regarding the most frequent cases of violence and insecurity in the participants' schools. The results showed that bullying including both verbal and physical violence still dominates student interactions.
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To address these concerns, teachers have attempted various methods, such as forming Prevention and Handling Task Forces (TPPK) and providing counseling. However, why does bullying still persist? It appears there are still critical needs to be met, such as ongoing mentorship, student education, decisive leadership, and parental support.
How Can Principals Initiate a Comfortable School Culture?
Mrs. Sabarina Nur Sarah, M.Pd., Principal of SMPN 25 Bandung, believes that creating a safe school begins with the courage and firmness of its leader. A "safe school" does not mean a school without problems, but rather one that possesses a robust system for managing them. To kickstart a safe and comfortable culture, Mrs. Sarah believes fundamental change must start with the system. As leaders, principals must have the courage to make decisive policy changes.
School Counselors Play a Vital Role in Shaping School Safety!
Mrs. Ria Eka Lestari, S.Si., Head of Counseling at SD Muhammadiyah Manyar, highlighted that a safe and comfortable school starts with how students feel within their own environment. She shared an example of the "orange vest" phenomenon at her school, which was originally intended to enforce discipline. However, it turned out that wearing the orange vest as a full-day punishment for violations actually made many students feel uncomfortable.
The Impact on Participating Teachers
The webinar left a lasting impression on the participants:
"What the speakers explained has empowered me in handling students at my school." — Mr. Agus Nurjaman, Teacher
"This webinar was fantastic for someone like me in the world of education. I gained many new insights and perspectives on creating a safe, comfortable, and joyful school. Following this session made me realize that before building a system, the most important element is the 'head'—the top decision-makers in the school.
A culture of safety and comfort isn't born from documents, but from the mindset and commitment of its leaders. Violence might not be entirely eliminated, but we always have the choice to minimize it. This is where the principal's role becomes crucial in determining the direction of a school culture that is safe, inclusive, and joyful." — Mrs. Masyitha, Teacher
If you are interested in collaborating further with PeaceGen, please contact us via email at [email protected]
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