Attitudes of teachers toward discrimination of children at school

Abstract

The goal of the paper is to find out attitudes of teachers toward discrimination of schoolchildren on the ground of ethnicity, disability and social position in order to prevent discrimination in early stages. Survey research was done in Lithuania‘s schools. 1062 respondents (heads of classes (teachers) and helping professionals) selected by representative sample answered to questionnaire. Research data shows that teachers allow using dialects at school for schoolchildren of different ethnicity and regions. Teachers more than helping professionals agree that schoolchildren with ethnical background have possibilities to become a class or school leaders. Bullying is mostly prevailing in 5-8 grades, in smaller schools and by richer schoolchildren. Social position has a big impact to communication among children. During class formation bigger attention to parents’ social position is paid in gymnasiums then in basic or secondary schools. Children with disabilities have communication problems during after-classes activities.