May 3, 2011
Proposed amendments to the Public Schools Act introduced in the Manitoba legislature today by Education Minister Nancy Allan would establish a provincewide approach to reporting serious student misconduct.
“This builds on the great work being done at the grassroots level by parents, by teachers, by principals and by school divisions,” Allan said. “This legislation is meant to support and complement those efforts and to ensure they are happening across the board.”
Bill 28 would requireall employees of a school division, and those in charge of students during a school-approved activity such as a sporting event or field trip, report unacceptable student conduct to the principal as soon as possible.
Unacceptable conduct includes abusing another student physically, sexually or psychologically, verbally, in writing or otherwise, and repeated or deliberate bullying of another pupil of a serious nature including cyberbullying. When a principal believes after an investigation that a student has been harmed as a result of unacceptable conduct, the principal must, as soon as reasonably possible, notify the student’s parent or guardian.
“The parental voice is essential to addressing all matters relating to school safety and bullying including during the process of incident reporting. The Manitoba Association of Parent Councils (MAPC) applauds Manitoba Education and its efforts to promote school safety, which fosters school environments dedicated to addressing the many challenges associated with bullying,” said Naomi Kruse, executive director of MAPC.
Safe schools legislation that came into force in June 2004 made it mandatory for Manitoba schools to have a code of conduct and emergency response plans in place. In June 2008, school board obligations were expanded to include policies regarding appropriate use of the Internet and electronic devices such as cell phones and digital cameras to curtail cyberbullying.
Suspected cases of abuse will continue to be reported to Manitoba Child and Family Services and criminal activities will be reported to police as required by law.
PROVINCE INTRODUCES LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ENSURE SERIOUS BULLYING INCIDENTS ARE REPORTED: ALLAN
“This builds on the great work being done at the grassroots level by parents, by teachers, by principals and by school divisions,” Allan said. “This legislation is meant to support and complement those efforts and to ensure they are happening across the board.”
Bill 28 would requireall employees of a school division, and those in charge of students during a school-approved activity such as a sporting event or field trip, report unacceptable student conduct to the principal as soon as possible.
Unacceptable conduct includes abusing another student physically, sexually or psychologically, verbally, in writing or otherwise, and repeated or deliberate bullying of another pupil of a serious nature including cyberbullying. When a principal believes after an investigation that a student has been harmed as a result of unacceptable conduct, the principal must, as soon as reasonably possible, notify the student’s parent or guardian.
“The parental voice is essential to addressing all matters relating to school safety and bullying including during the process of incident reporting. The Manitoba Association of Parent Councils (MAPC) applauds Manitoba Education and its efforts to promote school safety, which fosters school environments dedicated to addressing the many challenges associated with bullying,” said Naomi Kruse, executive director of MAPC.
Safe schools legislation that came into force in June 2004 made it mandatory for Manitoba schools to have a code of conduct and emergency response plans in place. In June 2008, school board obligations were expanded to include policies regarding appropriate use of the Internet and electronic devices such as cell phones and digital cameras to curtail cyberbullying.
Suspected cases of abuse will continue to be reported to Manitoba Child and Family Services and criminal activities will be reported to police as required by law.
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