Teachers strengthen social competences

On 12 May 2026, another training session for education system staff, devoted to counteracting discrimination and prejudice in the school environment, took place at Primary School No. 15 in Kielce.

As part of the project “Improving the wellbeing of the school community in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship”, a training session for teachers was held, devoted to counteracting exclusion, strengthening pupils’ wellbeing, and building a safe and open educational environment.

The meeting was led by Dr Katarzyna Krzystanek – a psychologist specialising in the mental wellbeing of children and young people, as well as in creating a safe educational space. The training was organised as part of the project “Improving the wellbeing of the school community in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship”, implemented by the Integration Europe – East Association.

During the meeting, participants analysed situations they may encounter in their everyday work with pupils, with particular attention to the needs of foreign children attending the school. They discussed mechanisms of exclusion, the impact of stereotypes on peer relations, and ways of responding to unequal treatment.

Dr Katarzyna Krzystanek emphasised that school plays a key role in shaping young people’s attitudes. That is why it is so important to build an environment based on empathy, acceptance, dialogue and attentiveness to the needs of every pupil – regardless of their background, language, experiences or family situation.

The training had a workshop format, which encouraged active exchange of experience between teachers. The participants jointly searched for practical solutions that can be used both during lessons and in everyday contact with pupils and parents.

An important element of the meeting was also reflection on how to strengthen pupils’ sense of safety, how to counteract isolation, and how to respond to psychological violence and other difficult situations that may arise in the school environment.

The project “Improving the wellbeing of the school community in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship” shows that modern education is not only about passing on knowledge, but also about caring for relationships, emotions and every pupil’s sense of belonging. Thanks to such initiatives, school can become a more friendly, open and safe place for all members of the school community.