The government and the ruling party agreed to open a school violence hotline as one major step to responding to school violence, Education Ministry officials said Wednesday.

A high-level meeting of Grand National Party members and ministers of related agencies agreed to unify separate school violence hotlines into “117,” which will be operational 24 hours a day nationwide.

“As we remember 112 as a number for reporting crimes, and 119 for fire reports, we decided to make 117 a number with which people can easily associate with reporting school violence,” said Rep. Lee Ju-young, top policymaker of the GNP.

The 117 centers will receive and register reports on school violence from students and parents, and forward minor incidents to the support centers on school violence, while handing over serious reports to the police.

A team of experts including police officers and counselors, plus medical and legal experts will be available so that students can also receive any help they need. They will also report cases to related schools and regional education offices for further follow-up measures.

The government anticipates the call centers will enable quick responses to school violence incidents as well as cause the public to perceive school violence as a crime.

Education Minister Lee Ju-ho said in an afternoon meeting with counselors that the government will dispatch more counselors to middle schools, where school violence occurs more frequently.

“We will also conduct school violence prevention education with all teachers and offer them manuals they can use to deal with any school violence incidents,” Lee said.

By Lee Woo-young  (wylee@heraldcorp.com)