Ontario is trying to eradicate bullying in schools

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Published March 3, 2020 at 12:57 am

bullying

The Province is working to eradicate bullying in schools in Ontario.

According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 21 per cent of students in grades seven to 12 in Ontario said they have been bullied at school.

In response, the Province has implemented a survey intended to gain a better understanding of the issue, ideas on how to better prevent and report bullying, and new ways to make schools safer.

“Bullying is far too common in our playgrounds, schools and communities across Ontario,” Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, said in a news release.

“That is why our government is taking decisive action to ensure every person regardless of their faith, heritage, orientation, race or income, is protected and respected. Every child deserves to learn in a safe and inclusive school, that is why we are empowering students to have a voice,” he continued.

Since November 2019, the government has launched five programs to combat bullying, including investing $3.18 million to go towards programs, partnerships and services that help to promote a positive school climate, support healthy relationships, build empathy and address bullying and cyberbullying.

Additionally, the government has changed the Health and Physical Education curriculum for grades one through eight to now include mandatory learning about online safety, cyberbullying, cybersecurity, and privacy.

It will also teach students how to build and support healthy relationships, and develop skills to identify, prevent, and resolve issues that may lead to bullying.

Further, the Province is investing $3.8 billion over the next 10 years to create new mental health and addictions services and expand existing programs.

“In order to prevent bullying in our schools, we need to be aware of what’s happening at the classroom level,” Christina Mitas, Member of Provincial Parliament, said in the same release.

“The online survey will help us better understand the ways in which bullying manifests in classroom settings. This will assist us in framing the problem and designing more effective programs – ones that will keep our children safe,” she continued.

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