NOVEMBER 11 — The recent tragic incidents involving violence and loss of young lives in Malaysian schools should make every parent, teacher and member of society stop and think. Schools are supposed to be safe places where children learn, make friends and prepare for their future. Yet, when violence happens within school grounds, it raises a worrying question: Are we doing enough to teach our young people how to manage anger, handle disagreements and resolve conflicts peacefully?
Conflict is a normal part of growing up. Teenagers may disagree with friends, feel left out, experience bullying, face peer pressure or become upset when things do not go their way. These are common challenges during adolescence. However, the concern is how they respond to such situations. Some young people struggle to control their emotions, accept criticism or manage rejection. Instead of talking things through, they may turn to shouting, threats, bullying or even physical violence. The problem is not that young people experience conflict, but that some may not have the skills to deal with it in a healthy way.
