Legislation needed to curb violence in schools

ONE STUDENT WAS KILLED AND TWO INJURED in a recent violent clash at a junior middle school in Hengshui in North China's Hebei province. Southern Metropolis Daily commented on Tuesday:

The tragedy at the middle school in Hengshui once again points to the increasing number of violent incidents on campus. What is particularly disturbing is that more students at early ages have been involved and the attackers are willing to resort to violence in disagreements over trivial matters.

Those victimized and mentally traumatized are more likely to commit suicide or inflict self-harm in early adolescence. A young victim of school bullying in East China's Jiangxi province reportedly attempted to commit suicide by swallowing nails.