By Sarah Klein
The Manitoba government on Monday introduced new tools to curb bullying in schools.
Bilingual posters informing students about Kids Help Phone’s free counselling, referral and information services will be distributed to all middle and senior years schools.
“These resources help students who have been targets of bullying behaviour know they are not alone and help is available,” said Nancy Allan, legislative assistant for Safe Schools, while speaking at Collège Churchill in Winnipeg. “Students can’t learn when they feel marginalized, humiliated or intimidated, and all students deserve the opportunity to reach their full potential in safe, inclusive learning environments.”
Allum also announced a new regulation requiring schools to conduct at least one lockdown drill each term or semester to ensure staff and students know what to do and are prepared to act quickly in a potentially violent situation.
The announcement comes in the midst of Bullying Awareness Week, running November 17-23.