May 16, 2012
Concrete Action Continues in Efforts to Combat Bullying
Efforts to address bullying and intimidation in schools have been, and will remain, a top priority for the Provincial Government, says the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Education.
Minister Jackman noted today that an amended private member’s resolution, passed in the House of Assembly, reflects the fact that numerous initiatives to combat bullying are currently ongoing, and that discussions have already begun with key education stakeholders and law enforcement agencies to determine what further actions can be taken.
The amended resolution passed unanimously.
“Since taking on the Education portfolio late last year, I have made it clear to education stakeholders, and the public in general, that this government is taking concrete action to remove all forms of violence, harassment, and intimidation from our schools,” said Minister Jackman. “In addition to an independent review of our Safe and Caring Schools Policy, which is almost complete, I was pleased today that the House of Assembly passed a resolution which speaks to continuing our efforts and bringing forward new ideas, and new initiatives, in consultation with others who have knowledge and expertise in this area.”
Earlier this year, when minor amendments to the Schools Act, 1997 were being discussed in the House of Assembly, Minister Jackman noted the Provincial Government’s intention to conduct a further review of the Act which would include discussion with stakeholders. Today the minister repeated that intention, noting however that it would be irresponsible to suggest any substantive changes to legislation without going through an appropriate consultative process.
“That work is ongoing, and as part of the process, we will, in fact, discuss next steps with respect to the legislation and how to more effectively address issues around violence and intimidation in schools,” said Minister Jackman. “Decisions made will be informed decisions, arrived at after careful review and analysis by individuals with expertise in their respective fields. With an issue as important as our children’s physical and emotional well-being, we cannot afford to rush that process.”
Meanwhile, Minister Jackman noted that the aforementioned review and evaluation of the province’s Safe and Caring Schools Policy, announced in November, 2011, will help determine future plans for initiatives and programs in the province’s schools. In addition, a provincial Safe and Caring Schools Documentation Committee has been working on a clear definition of bullying, a Bullying Prevention and Intervention Protocol, and data collection procedures which will help document and report incidents of violence and intimidation in schools.
The Provincial Safe and Caring Schools Policy was launched in 2006, as part of the six-year Violence Prevention Initiative, in response to a growing concern about students’ safety and well-being in schools. Programs and initiatives undertaken since then include:
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• Province-wide professional development and special training to school
district leaders, principals, teachers and other school personnel;
• Online resources for students, parents and teachers to help in their efforts to address violence in schools;
• A requirement that every school have its own school development plan which speaks to how they can make safe and caring issues a part of their unique school culture;
• The expansion of Violence Awareness Week activities, including the provincial promotion of Pink Day to encourage students to take a leadership role in anti-bullying activities at their schools;
• The implementation of the Safe and Caring Schools Special Projects awards, which provide $15,000 ($500 to 30 schools) annually in recognition of school-based initiatives to combat bullying;
• The introduction of the annual Safe and Caring Awards, which provide 15 graduating students with a $500 post-secondary tuition voucher in recognition of their individual efforts to address violence and harassment in schools; and,
• Later this spring, the introduction of the MyGSA (My Gay Straight Alliance) resource to all schools in the province offering Grades 7-12. Professional development associated with this resource, and ways to ensure the safety of vulnerable students, has been completed for district and school leaders at schools offering Grades 7-12.
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Media contact:
Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
House of Assembly Resolution as Amended
WHEREAS education plays a critical role in preparing young people to grow up as productive, contributing, and constructive citizens; and
WHEREAS all students, teachers, and staff members should feel safe at school and deserve a positive school climate that is inclusive and accepting, regardless of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status, or disability; and
WHEREAS everyone – government, educators, school staff, parents, students and the wider community – has a role to play in creating a positive school climate and preventing inappropriate behaviour, such as bullying, sexual assault, gender based violence, homophobia, and other forms of harassment; and
WHEREAS this government has already taken significant measures in collaboration with students, teachers, parents and the community to address bullying including:
(i) the establishment in 2006 of the Safe and Caring Schools Policy;
(ii) the OutrageNL campaign, which is not limited to two weeks of the year, but year-round;
(iii) participation in the Pink Day campaign in February;
(iv) funding the MyGSA resource to support Gay-Straight Alliance groups in schools offering Grade 7-12;
(v) the implementation of Phase I of the Violence Prevention Initiative and the development of Phase II, which has already commenced; and
(vi) a wide range of other initiatives to inform students, teachers and parents about bullying and ways to prevent and respond to it; and
WHEREAS this government has already announced it is in the process of reviewing and consulting on the Safe and Caring Schools Policy with the intention of enhancing the policy and has publicly stated its intent to further review the Schools Act, 1997 following discussions with stakeholders; and
WHEREAS any legislative changing respecting bullying awareness and prevention should be the product of careful consultative processes involving the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association, the Newfoundland and Labrador School Boards Association, law enforcement professionals and others with the expertise to inform the process;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this House of Assembly urge government to continue addressing the issue of bullying and harassment in our schools through the many initiatives it has already commenced, including the process it has already undertaken to review and enhance the Safe and Caring Schools Policy in consultation with the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association, the Newfoundland and Labrador School Boards Association, law enforcement professionals and others with the expertise to inform the process;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the government is urged to bring forward any legislative changes, bullying prevention plans, curriculum revisions, reporting mechanisms, discipline structures, awareness and prevention campaigns, and other measures that, in light of this careful consultative process, are deemed to be effective and warranted.
2012 05 16 5:10 p.m.