Review to Help Strengthen Safe and Caring Schools Policy

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Education, today announced that a contract has been awarded to Goss Gilroy Inc. to conduct an independent review and evaluation of the province’s Safe and Caring Schools policy. The completed review, expected in the spring of 2012, will help inform an action plan currently being developed to strengthen and support schools in their efforts to eradicate all forms of bullying and harassment.

“It has been five years since the launch of the Safe and Caring Schools policy, and it is appropriate that we stand back now and evaluate what has been achieved to date,” said Minister Jackman. “This review will help determine the effectiveness of the provincial policy – what is working, what needs to change, and how we can improve on the foundation we have built.”

The Safe and Caring Schools policy was introduced in 2006 in response to a growing concern about students’ safety and well-being in schools. Over the years, the initiative has been proactive in developing programs aimed at early intervention and education on violence prevention.

“Violence and harassment, in any form, is simply unacceptable,” said Minister Jackman. “All children deserve to learn and grow in peaceful, respectful schools and communities. We all have a responsibility, parents, educators and others, to ensure our young people understand that all individuals should be respected and valued for who they are.”

Safe and Caring Schools programming is part of the Provincial Government’s six-year, $9.2 million commitment to combating violence in Newfoundland and Labrador through the Violence Prevention Initiative.

For more information on Safe and Caring Schools, visit: www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/k12/safeandcaring/index.html.

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Media contact:
Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca

2011 11 28             12:10 p.m.