ONTARIO — Yesterday on Pink Shirt Day, Education Minister Stephen Lecce announced the launch of an online survey to hear from students, parents and guardians and school staff about their experiences with bullying in Ontario schools.
According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 21 per cent of Ontario students in Grades 7 to 12 have reported being bullied at school. This new survey seeks 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,” said Minister Lecce. “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.”
“In order to prevent bullying in our schools, we need to be aware of what’s happening at the classroom level,” said MPP Christina Mitas. In November 2019, the government announced five new initiatives to combat bullying in schools, including the student survey. “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.”
Students, parents, guardians and school staff are encouraged to participate in the survey, which is posted online at https://www.ontario.ca/page/consultation-bullying-ontario-schools and Information for Parents/Guardians about Ontario’s Survey on Bullying is also available online.
