Counseling centers were established as part of the government program to improve safety in schools, “Zero Tolerance for Violence at School.” Their task is to provide parents, students and teachers with advice on preventing violence and aggression among children and young people.
The Bolesławiec Counseling Center is located in the pedagogist’s office at the Zespół Szkół Ogólnokształcących i Zawodowych on ul. Komuny Paryskiej. Until December 20, employees of the Poradnia Psychologiczno-Pedagogiczna will be on duty there every Tuesday (from 14:00 to 18:00) and Thursday (from 13:30 to 17:30).
Anyone may come to the center completely anonymously. “Parents and young people are the main visitors. We do this so that they can come and say: I am experiencing violence, my classmates beat me or blackmail me, I am receiving threats,” says Emilia Wróblewska, director of the Poradnia Psychologiczno-Pedagogiczna.
Usually, two or three people come during each duty period. They are primarily young people who either have problems with learning or feel guilty because of their aggressive behavior and want to change. The role of the Counseling Center staff is primarily to listen to such a person, offer support and, if necessary, suggest whom they can contact to resolve the problem.
Parents who cannot cope with their children also contact the Counseling Center. “Every case is different,” explains Lidia Kowalczyk, a pedagogist. In her opinion, parents must set certain boundaries for their children, because this makes children feel safe. However, one must not go too far in either strictness or permissiveness. “These are two extremes that must always be avoided,” the pedagogist emphasizes.
Detailed information is available by calling the Poradnia Psychologiczno-Pedagogiczna at: 075 732 26 58.
(PPP/GA information)