Anti-Bullying Campaign Yields Success [Photos Included]

Thanks to the anti-bullying campaign ran by the teachers of the Alexandrina Maduro Primary School, the institution has seen a dramatic decrease in reports and incidences surrounding bullying.

In an interview with the school’s Guidance Counselor who leads the campaign, Ms. Shaunice Leonard, she informed BVI Platinum News that as a result of the campaign being launched in 2015, incidences have declined.

“It [campaign] has shown tremendous impact on the students because they are now aware of what bullying is, how to report, how to assist and how to take a stand for themselves and for each other.”

She explained that the campaign was started after realizing that there was a need for some sort of assistance and guidance for the students, relative to bullying.

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Guidance Counselor photoed with students of the Alexandrina Maduro Primary School

(PLTM) - “When I first started as a counselor at the school in 2014, I saw a need for the program. I had students coming to me, telling me what’s going on. I had to do something about it. Students are now aware and utilizing effective ways of battling the issue as an abuser and as the abused.”

As a part of the campaign, the school oversees a host of programs that cater to the needs of the students, providing them with relevant information, in addition to assuring them that help is always there. The message is promoted through lesson plans, poetry and information desks, among others.

“This is nothing new. The students expect it year after year and it's something we would continue to try our best to do. We try make our approaches fun for the kids, so it's easily related to for them to trust more and open up.”

The school also makes available an anonymous box, where students are encouraged to express themselves, without feeling uncomfortable.

The school hosted a walk/run against bullying yesterday, October 27, where students, teachers, parents and supporters journeyed from Baugher’s Bay and ended at the Festival Grounds.

“It wasn’t just walking. We are walking for victims, walking to promote awareness, walking against bullying.”

The anti-bullying campaign is being adopted by various schools around the Territory. Teachers, students and parents of the Ebenezer Thomas Primary School and the Enid Scatliffe Pre-Primary School are the most recent to join the cause, where they will be holding marches and other activities against bullying and to raise awareness.

School Counselor attached to both schools, Ms. Keriann Malone said, “Bullying can threaten students’ physical and emotional safety at school and can negatively impact their ability to learn. The best way to address bullying is to stop it before it starts. There are a number of things school staff can do to make schools safer and prevent bullying, which is how the anti-bullying campaigns begun.”

Ms. Malone noted that bullying can be prevented or lessened by establishing a positive climate at schools, reinforcing positive social interactions and inclusiveness, educating students and staff, training teachers on school rules and policies, build bullying prevention material into the curriculum and school activities, and engage parents and youth.

Both schools are set to tackle bullying through very creative and interactive activities and themes. The Ebenezer Thomas Primary will focus on cyber bullying, where the school will provide tips and advice to empower students to think critically, behave safely and participate responsibly in the technologically advanced world; while Enid-Scatliffe Pre-Primary School will focus on bully prevention.

Commenting on the cause and the combative efforts being made by the schools, Minister of Education and Culture, Hon. Myron Walwyn said, “Bullying is a serious issue for students and youth in general. While it is the goal of the Ministry of Education and Culture to provide an environment that is most conducive to learning and enhancing critical thinking skills, bullying can frustrate the achievement of those objectives. It is important that we work together as a community to end bullying and do whatever is possible for our youth to ensure they receive a well deserved education.”

Hon Walwyn continued, “I am pleased that anti-bullying campaigns have been launched and the Ministry fully supports these initiatives.”

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