Released on November 14, 2005
To mark the beginning of Bullying Awareness Week, November 14th – 20th, 2005, Learning Minister Andrew Thomson today announced progress continues to be made on the Government's Anti-Bullying Strategy."At our request, the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) recently approved mandating the ministries of education across Canada to work together to establish a more effective exchange of programs, policies and legislative tools to combat bullying among students and youth in our communities," Thomson said.
In February 2005, Thomson announced Saskatchewan Learning's Anti-Bullying Strategy to address the issue of bullying among children and youth in schools, within the context of the larger community. The CMEC agreement builds directly on the work being accomplished in Saskatchewan and will collectively strengthen efforts to prevent bullying, a problem that must be addressed on many levels.
"The Government of Saskatchewan views bullying in schools as a serious impediment to the learning success and well being of children and youth," Thomson said. "Bullying also raises concerns about the safety of our children and youth and the criminal justice system may become involved depending on the seriousness of the incident.
"We are moving this agenda forward in a number of ways. Saskatchewan Learning has contracted the Canadian Mental Health Association to provide anti-bullying and suicide prevention programming for Saskatchewan schools and communities. Threat Assessment Training is being conducted to strengthen school and community responses to issues of bullying," Thomson concluded.
The Department of Learning recently surveyed all school divisions to determine the current status of anti-bullying policies and practices in place. All school divisions have policies to address issues of student conduct and safety, and are promoting caring and respectful school environments.
For more information regarding the Anti-Bullying Strategy, visit www.learning@gov.sk.ca.
-30-
For More Information, Contact:
| Jacquie McLean Learning Regina Phone: (306) 787-1305 Cell: (306) 535-2261 |