A safe, equal and non-discriminatory educational institution supports the wellbeing and learning of all students. This should be the goal throughout the entire school term.
An educational institution can be compared to a sports team, as they have many things in common:
- Everyone has their own place on the field and their own responsibility for the team’s progress and moving forward.
- The team needs good coaching, support and equipment. In coaching, it is essential to recognise each member’s strengths, reinforce them and help them develop. Support means having opportunities to receive different kinds of help according to individual needs, as well as nourishment and opportunities for rest. Good support helps with recovery and development.
- Each player also needs good, modern equipment so that they can perform professionally.
- A good team accepts one another: everyone is allowed to be themselves, the team celebrates success and, above all, encourages its members when they face failures and defeats. Team spirit helps everyone feel that their participation is meaningful, and gives them a sense of belonging and joy in taking part.
For both a team and an educational institution to succeed, the factors mentioned above must be in place. Coaching, support, equipment and team spirit all need to be strong.
A safe educational institution is created when we stand together and act as a team does. Like a good team, a school is at its strongest when everyone takes responsibility for our shared wellbeing. A kind word, taking others into account, the courage to intervene in inappropriate behaviour and the willingness to help are small actions with great significance. Through them, we build an educational institution into a safe environment in which to participate and study. School peace is created when we accept one another.
School peace does not, however, happen by itself; it is built through everyone’s actions and everyday encounters. A respectful and equal school community, where everyone is allowed to be themselves and focus on learning without fear of discrimination, is the best place to study.
School peace is a shared responsibility for all of us.
“School Peace 2026 reminds us that team spirit is built together. Through their own actions, everyone can help make school a place where all feel welcome, valued and safe. Kindness, equality and respect for others are the foundation of school peace.”
Source: https://www.oph.fi/fi/koulutus-ja-tutkinnot/koulurauha
Written by Maija Tuomola, Teacher, Lounais-Hämeen koulutuskuntayhtymä
The BGBiVET project (reference 2025-1-IE01-KA220-VET-000358467) is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union. The contents of this publication represent the views of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union or the National Agency. Neither the European Union nor the National Agency can be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.