Policy Synergy Training to Strengthen Institutional Capacity for Student Violence Prevention in Secondary Schools

Abstract

The community engagement program aimed to strengthen the institutional capacity of secondary schools through a policy-synergy workshop on student violence prevention. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, the program comprised policy review, institutional assessment, participatory discussion, and evaluation of reporting systems, support services, and cross-sector collaboration. The findings revealed that approximately 37% of schools maintained regular coordination with protection services, fewer than 20% operated digital reporting systems, and only 30% had integrated anti-violence education into learning activities. Schools implementing cross-sector collaboration recorded a 15–20% increase in case reporting, indicating improved accessibility and trust in reporting mechanisms. Moreover, schools with integrated counseling, psychosocial support, referral procedures, and case-management services experienced up to a 10% reduction in the risk of repeated violence. The program demonstrates that policy understanding, institutional capacity, accessible reporting mechanisms, and sustained multi-stakeholder collaboration are essential for developing safer, more inclusive, and responsive school environments.