Education and Training Minister Phung Xuan Nha said he would take responsibility for a 13-fold increase in school violence over the past 10 years.

A 7th grader beaten by four other pupils at Tran Phu Secondary School, in Hue City

When being asked what the minister would do to deal with school violence at a meeting held late last year, Minister of Education and Training Nha said this was a concern for society. There are many reasons that cause school violence related to society and families, but the ministry will also take part of the blame, he said.

"School violence is a real issue and on the rise. The number of students and pupils that are violent and misbehave is a minority but they pose a huge risk that can lead to an uncontrollable, unethical lifestyle trend," he said.

Nha went on to say that the ministry decided to make civic education a major subject that pupils must take in the high school graduation exam. In the coming time, the ministry will build a more practical curriculum for the civic education subject.

"As a minister of education, I'll take the responsibility. First and foremost, pupils must be taught about moral and civic education from when they are small," he said. 

The problem was also discussed during a conference about school violence and solutions held by the Thua Thien Hue Provincial Department of Education and Training on February 9. More pupils, especially female pupils, are fighting each other or harassing other pupils in groups.

Most pupils have an indifferent attitude toward the violence in school. They mostly watch the commotion nearby or record the fight with mobile phones instead of calling for help from the security.

Tran Thi Tu Anh from Hue College of Education said some of the most severe cases occurred at Tran Phu Secondary School, Bui Thi Xuan High School and Phu Bai High School. According to Anh, 120 out of 200 pupils said violence in their schools happened quite usually.

Each year, 1,600 fights were recorded among pupils. School violence has increased 13 times compared to a decade ago, according to the statistics from the Department of Child Care and Protection, under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.

Dtinews