Since the beginning of the 2025–2026 school year, the public has witnessed a string of shocking school violence cases across the country: a 7th-grade boy at Dai Kim Secondary School (Hanoi) pulling his teacher’s hair and pushing her head in class; an 11th-grade student fatally stabbing a 12th-grader at Dang Thai Mai High School (Thanh Hoa); a 9th-grader at Phu Cuong Secondary School using a weapon to stab a schoolmate to death; a 10th-grade student in Thanh Hoa dying five days later after a group beating; and a female student at An Dien Secondary School (HCMC) suffering three broken ribs after being attacked in a restroom.

Most recently, on November 7, local media reported that a 9th-grade student at Minh Lac Secondary School (Ha Tinh) was beaten in the head by an 11th-grader and later died.

These incidents reveal a growing problem of school violence that demands urgent and effective solutions.

Widening gaps in character education

While most students today strive to learn and improve, many are gradually losing basic moral values, lacking communication skills, and showing weak motivation. Some talk disrespectfully and challenge teachers when being corrected. Others form groups and use both physical and emotional violence against classmates inside and outside school.

A child’s character is shaped by three pillars: family, school, and society. When one of these pillars weakens, a child can easily lose direction.

At home, some parents overindulge their children or are too busy to talk, guide, or discipline them. Some even defend their children when they make mistakes, encouraging irresponsibility and a lack of empathy. Many parents focus only on providing material comfort while neglecting emotional connection. Some spend their limited family time scrolling on their phones instead of engaging with their children.

At school, many teachers are devoted but afraid to discipline students, fearing accusations of unprofessional conduct. Some remain silent. The practice of private tutoring sometimes breeds inequality, causing resentment among students. The obsession with “achievement” leads schools to handle violations lightly. Since October 31, the strictest disciplinary measure has been a written self-reflection, further weakening school discipline.

In society, any teacher’s misstep can spark harsh public backlash, making educators even more cautious. Meanwhile, violent and toxic content on social media continues to spread, easily attracting young viewers. Most students own smartphones, and parents struggle to monitor what they use smartphones for.

What can be done 

In a world full of negative influences, students easily lose control or react violently when lacking life skills and guidance. Without family care, school supervision, and social direction, they are vulnerable to harmful behavior.

In families, parents must be bright examples from words to behavior. Besides material investment, parents need to be close to children and help children respect elders, love and forgive.

At school, principals and teachers need to help students learn good words and right principles, create conditions for children to integrate collective play, and reduce phone use.

Schools also need to organize many collective movements for children with teachers and friends, and form necessary social communication skills. Experiential activity lessons need focused investment and should avoid formality and superficiality.

For society, authorities should tighten control over violent online content and restrict harmful websites and videos. Communities should create safe, civilized environments and organize youth-friendly programs. Youth unions and organizations must play a stronger role in engaging students in healthy, meaningful activities.

For students with serious behavioral problems but not at a criminal level, authorities should apply corrective educational measures involving families, schools, and local governments. In necessary cases, rehabilitation centers may help redirect behavior through structured guidance.

School violence cannot be solved with temporary reactions after each tragedy. Sustainable solutions require parents, teachers, and communities to act together: caring but firm, compassionate yet disciplined.

Nhat Thu