April 9, 2014
Province Marks Day of Pink with New Resources to Help Stop Bullying in School, Online
The province is equipping students and schools with new tools to help prevent and deal with bullying, Education and Advanced Learning Minister James Allum announced today, as he marked Day of Pink at Lincoln Middle School.
“Today on the Day of Pink, the international day against bullying, discrimination, homophobia and trans-phobia in schools and communities, let’s all take a moment to reaffirm our commitment to work together to stop bullying in any form,” said Minister Allum. “Together, we must do everything we can to ensure all students feel safe and respected at school and online.”
Building on recent initiatives, including the new provincial code of conduct with clear and appropriate disciplinary consequences for bullying incidents, the minister launched Safe and Caring Schools: A Resource for Equity and Inclusion in Manitoba Schools (MB MyGSA).
MB MyGSA supports recent amendments to the Public Schools Act designed to prevent bullying and promote respect for human diversity. As part of this legislation, schools are required to accommodate students who want to form equity student groups including gay-straight alliances. The province partnered with Egale Canada Human Rights Trust to develop the resource, which is available at www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/safe_schools/index.html.
“The Manitoba government’s commitment to addressing homophobia and trans-phobia in Manitoba’s schools was evident at every stage of the development of this important resource,” said Helen Kennedy, executive director, Egale. “Schools with gay-straight alliances are safer and more inclusive for LGBT youth, and this resource is an integral first step in making that happen.”
The resource guide will feature information tailored to youth and educators on topics such as challenges frequently faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or queer (LGBTQ) youth and their families, and best practices for counsellors working with LGBTQ youth.
The minister also announced today the government is working with their education partners to develop Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) guidelines to help ensure students learn to use technology in a safe and responsible way, and avoid being victims of cyberbullying.
“Technology has dramatically changed the nature of bullying in recent years and we need resources that keep up with the reality faced by students today,” said Allum.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ATTACHED
Backgrounder
Anti-bullying Action Plan - https://www.gov.mb.ca/asset_library/en/newslinks/2014/04/Anti-bullying_Action_Plan.doc