How to repair Bullying in our Schools

The first issue is creating a direct Legislation which is in the best interest of children. We need Anti-Bullying additions to the act takes our outdated look at Bullying into modern philosophy. This showing a no tolerance view point to children seeking an education where they feel intimidated to go to school and has been brought up for years by parents. The needed items to be added to the act are, They include teasing, social exclusion, threats, intimidation, stalking, physical violence, theft, sexual or racial harassment, public humiliation, or destruction of property. Other such additions included “harassment” means any threatening, insulting, or dehumanizing gesture, use of data or computer software, or written, verbal, or physical conduct directed against a pupil or school personnel that:

(a) places a pupil or school personnel in reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or damage to his or her property,
(b) has the effect of substantially interfering with a pupil's educational performance, opportunities, or benefits, or
(c) has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of a school;

Under the current section 24 of the Educational Act of New Brunswick the addition to include for suspension of pupils would include for bullying. The most important part is creating proactive approach to Bullying. The Change to section 24.1(3) A principal shall in addition to a suspension under subsection (1) require one, some or all of the parties involved to participate in educational programs highlighting the negative consequences associated with bullying and harassment.

Also under this section we need to address those amendments put forward are what happens in situations where has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of a school. This portion needs direct cause and effect linked to it. If a child has a condition such as Autism or other known psychological conditions there will need to be special inclusions put in place. So maybe having Section 24.1(3a) in place reading " In cases where special needs children are placed in classrooms and have known conditions then disruptiveness must be addressed by other means than suspensions. We still need to accommodate children that do fall outside of the norm of what we deem " Disruptive Children". These situations can be addressed with having Teacher’s Assistants in all of the classrooms where direct one on one help is required.  There also needs an amendment 21.4(3b) when any form of the Anti-Bullying legislation is used as a means for revenge or abuse. Then it is punishable by suspension also up to and not exceeding 5 days. During the suspension a sit down meeting with the children's parents, teachers and school principal to address why and proactive measures put in place.

Call for immediate bill to be brought forward to address the issue for legislative change to occur. There is current programs offered by the Red Cross and other Non-Profit organization in New Brunswick so all that truly needs to be done is going to those that are currently offering these programs and work with those that have the hands on experience. Currently because of funding restrictions they can only offer it to a specific target age group of children and we all know it starts young and continues throughout the entire schooling experience. Funding currently used for other such things as the People’s Alliance has stated  openly by removing the Balloon Package that MLA’s currently are receiving of $42,500 for not being re-elected (55*$42,500= $2,337,500) could be put into this program within weeks of the first legislative sitting. The current program offered by the Red Cross not only educates but trains local mentors in the Schools. This will also create a positive learning environment by involving the local student bodies. There also can be a Province wide campaign introduced( Posters, Local MLA’s going into the schools and speaking to the children about why it is not a healthy thing to bully).

So what do you think

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