AN EDUCATION expert underscores the importance of creating a culture of open communication amidst another school shooting incident in Zamboanga.
Rossana Llenado, education/ AI expert and founder of AHEAD Education Group, said that schools must look beyond physical security and build a culture where students feel safe speaking up, and more teachers become equipped to recognize concerning behavior.
“School safety is not only about what we do when there is an emergency,” Llenado said. “It is also about creating a school environment where students feel that they belong, teachers are attentive to their students, and concerns are taken seriously.”
As schools confront bullying, student conflicts, online threats and other forms of harmful behavior, Llenado says prevention must become part of everyday education.
A multi-awarded education advocate, Llenado started AHEAD Education Group, which operates nine education brands. It has been recognized nationally and across Asia for excellence in education, entrepreneurship, and leadership. It is the country’s most awarded review center with over 35 recognitions.
Teachers spend much of their day with students and may notice changes in behavior, relationships or classroom participation. They should not be expected to diagnose psychological problems, Llenado stressed, but they can be trained to recognize when something is concerning and know when and how to refer it to school leaders or appropriate professionals.
“Teachers can help create safer schools by listening more to their students, but she also cautioned against creating stereotypes about students who may be considered “at risk.”
“We have to be careful that our efforts to prevent violence do not result in labeling children,” Llenado said.
Parents are also part of the prevention equation. Regular communication between families and schools can help ensure that serious concerns do not remain unnoticed or unaddressed, Llenado added.
Llenado also said that digital citizenship should be treated as an essential part of education, but she said that prevention comes down to relationships and building trust and open communication between and among the parents, school authorities, teachers and students.
“Education is not only about academic achievement,” Llenado said. “We need to prepare young people to become responsible members of society. Teaching them how to resolve conflict, respect others, ask for help and speak up when something is wrong”.
Llenado is starting a ReviewLab Scholarship Programme this September to enable more students from across the country to get more access to review facilities. “Values education is embedded in our review curriculum”, she said, adding that a culture of friendship and camaraderie and open communication are also instituted in AHEAD.
