Bezpieczna szkoła: efektywna komunikacja w szkole jako czynnik zmiany
Safe school: effective communication at school as a change factor

Summary/Abstract: This paper describes how communication, reliability and social stereotypes can influence school safety. The authors conclude that focusing on external threats will not be enough to prevent aggressive, violent or unwanted behaviors. Studies presented in this paper had shown that the key protective factors, that can minimize the amount of problematic situations in the school environment, are based on effective communication between teachers, pupils and their parents. School itself, as it is definitely hierarchical organization, favor asymmetric communication. This type of social interaction carry a serious risk of dominant attitude on one side (e.g. teacher) and aggressive or passive attitude on the other (e.g. pupil), which has negative consequences for effective communication. The authors point out that the partnership communication style is the most effective one (as opposed to egocentric and allocentric style), but its implementation in the school environment, requires education and practice plan for both teachers and pupils, as well as their parents. Based on studies shown in this paper, this plan should also focus at issues of self – awareness (as a foundation of one’s reliability) and social stereotypes to prevent negative effects that assumptions, prejudices and biases can have on effective communication. The authors see the attempt to build the relationships between all people connected to school environment on effective communication, as a chance for this institution to become safer, but also friendlier and more inspirational place.

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