Violence at Primary Schools and Its Reflections on the Press and the Visual Media in Turkey

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify the violence at primary schools by examining the news in the press and the visual media in Turkey. Qualitative research method has been adapted while making use of document review technique and violence news as documents. These news have been compiled from the websites of newspapers and television channels and also from video sharing websites. The data collection process has been carried out with various key words. Totally 140 news has been reached and descriptive analysis method has been used while analysing the collected data. The news concerning reported cases of violence at primary schools have been discussed within such parameters as “distribution by years”, “types of violence”, “distribution of individuals in terms of committing or exposure to violence”, “direction of violence”, and “legal actions against violence”. According to the research results, the news about violence have been classified as physical, oral-written, and sexual violence. The research results have demonstrated that persons prone to carry out violent acts are teachers, parents, principals (managers, deputy managers), students, school servants, school bus drivers, unknown individuals, and members of terrorist organizations. According to the results, the sources and causes of violence that occur in schools can be distinguished. To prevent violence, to reduce the number of potentially unwanted and dangerous events, new models and peaceful ways can be presented to students, teachers, or stakeholders.