UTICAJ VRŠNJAČKE EDUKACIJE NA POZITIVNU ŠKOLSKU KLIMU I PREVENCIJU AGRESIVNOG PONAŠANJA U ŠKOLI
THE IMPACT OF PEER EDUCATION ON A POSITIVE SCHOOL CLIMATE AND PREVENTION OF AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR IN SCHOOL

Summary/Abstract: The paper explores the role of peer education in preventing aggressive behavior in schools. Aggressive behavior, which includes peer violence, discrimination, exclusion, and other forms of socially unacceptable conduct, represents a serious problem in educational institutions world wide, with negative consequences for students' mental health, academic success, and social development. Peer education can represent one of the strategies for preventing aggressive behavior among students in the school environment through designed educational activities that will affirm and model positive values in the school, thereby reducing the space for supporting aggressive, deviant, and antisocial forms of behavior among students. The paper systematizes current knowledge on the effectiveness of various models, identifies key factors, and presents the mechanisms through which peer education contributes to strengthening a positive school climate as a significant protective factor for reducing aggression, victimization, and exclusion of students. The methodological approach is based on are view of relevant literature, empirical research, and presentations of the practical application of peer education in schools as an example of good pedagogical practice. The results indicate that well designed peer education programs lead to a significant improvement in social cohesion, a reduction in aggressive and discriminatory behaviors, and a strengthening of the sense of safety and belonging in school. However, long-term effectiveness depends on the careful selection and training of peer educators, adult support, institutional support, and continuous monitoring. It is concluded that the integration of peer education into the systemic prevention of antisocial behavior is an excellent strategy for creating a school as a supportive and inclusive community.

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