Over 1000 recommendations received for Anti-bullying and Anti-violence policy for schools

More than 1,000 recommendations have been submitted to the Ministry of Education to assist in shaping the Anti-Bullying and Anti-Violence Policy for schools.

The recommendations include key proposals calling for the establishment of anti-bullying clubs, the nurturing of peer advocates, increased and improved counseling services and stricter punishment like community service or withholding of the school cash grants for chronic offenders.

In a statement today, the Education Ministry revealed that during its final round of consultations in Region Five, some parents also suggested after-school programmes to build camaraderie and good sportsmanship.

Minister of Education, Sonia Parag, has assured that all recommendations received throughout the consultations will be compiled and reviewed by a multi-agency task force, including the Ministries of Home Affairs and Human Services and Social Security.

“What we’re seeing is not simply an act of bullying, but it’s also translating into violence and it’s making our spaces that should be safe, unsafe for our children,” Minister Parag said, noting that bullying, even without violence, takes many forms, including social exclusion and verbal attacks. It is abuse, psychologically, that can be damaging to that individual,” the education minister was quoted as saying.

Some of the suggestions received will be used to craft a comprehensive policy with standardized consequences for bad and violent behaviors by children and teachers in the school system.

Minister Parag noted too that the policy will also take into account, the manner in which bad behaviour has evolved in this digital age where children can be easily influenced in online spaces that remain readily accessible to them, and largely without proper parental supervision.

“Years ago, a child would be influenced by what happens in their homes, schools and neighbourhoods, but now, they are also influenced by social media and what happens online and the trends that dominate that space,” the Minister stated.

In addition to the Anti-Bullying and Anti-Violence Policy for Schools, the Ministry of Education is also pursuing enhanced training for school guidance counselors beginning this September.

The Minister also revealed that efforts have also begun to ensure greater supervision within schools and the prompt and timely reporting of incidents to the ministry.

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