By Sandra Oey
Money promised to Ontario schools from the provincial government for bullying prevention can be beneficial, but schools should be careful on how they spend the funds, says one youth counsellor.
“It is a step in the right direction but clearly there needs to be measures done to ensure the funds are resulting in the decrease of bullying,” says David Millen, co-founder of Child and Youth Friendly Ottawa, a charitable organization that provides counselling and other services for youths.
In December 2005, the Ontario government promised $1500 to $2000 to each school in the province towards anti-bullying education and awareness. The money is already being given out and will be distributed to each school over the next three years.
However, Millen says the schools should not think of the funding as just “extra” money. It should be put towards programs throughout the year and not just on one awareness assembly at the beginning of September.
“The schools need to stop with the one time quick fix approach because it doesn’t work,” says Millen.
Teachers are starting to recognize the value of anti-bullying programs and in many Ottawa schools there is more being done.
At Immaculata high school, Principal Tom D’Amico says there is a lot being done for bullying prevention. Acceptance and tolerance is taught in grade seven and eight religion classes and senior students act as role models or “peer helpers” to the younger students. Inspirational guest speakers also present at the school.
“We are focused on character building and healthy relationships and resiliency,” says D’Amico.
Although the school already funds anti-bullying initiatives, D’Amico says extra money from the government will be helpful.
Immaculata is just one of many schools which gears its anti-bullying programs towards students in lower grades.
Millen says only focusing on younger students will not decrease bullying because it does not stop once youth reach senior grades.
“It may not be as explicit but bullying still occurs at the older levels,” says Millen. “Many adults can still say they are being bullied whether it is at their job or in their group of friends.”
At Lisgar Collegiate, their anti-bullying presentations and programs are for grade nine and ten students. Principal Karen Gledhill says she does not include senior grades because by that time “they are more mature and less likely to act impulsively”
“We target the grade nine and ten students because many bullying incidents happen at that level. They need to learn how to have self-respect and take responsibility for their actions,” says Gledhill.
D’Amico says the reason to focus on younger grades is to have students learn early what are considered acceptable and unacceptable behaviors.
Once they reach the older grades they are “equipped with the skill sets of healthy relationships and appropriate behavior.”
Bullying can still happen at the senior level, says D’Amico, but by then students have usually matured and the acts of bullying have decreased. Then more focus is put on other issues such as drugs, alcohol and sexuality.
Anti-bullying programs should not be limited to students and teachers. Millen says a wide range of people, such as administration, staff, and parents should also be included.
“Everyone must live in a culture of anti-bullying and we have to be careful not to feel that bullying is just exclusive to a school,” says Millen.
Millen says what he suggests does not cost a lot money, but it does mean a lot of effort.
“The government money can help buy books on bullying and it can help book presentations, but unless we put the effort into building a culture of safety, positive people, and respect, bullying will still happen.”