Anti-bullying policy needed

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Everyone, including children, deserves to enjoy the highest standard of physical and mental health. This is not the case for children who are bullied. Children who are bullied can experience depression, anxiety and increased feelings of sadness and loneliness. This extends to children who witness bullying.

A 2016 study conducted by the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (then Child Development Agency) found that 64.9 per cent of students across the school system reported being bullied at some point. Similarly, the Jamaican LGBT community experience and needs assessment survey results conducted by Equality For All Foundation, revealed that some 40 per cent of LGBT Jamaicans had experienced bullying at some point. Ninety per cent of those who said they experienced bullying said this happened while they were in high school.

The second edition of the education ministry’s Security and Safety Guidelines gives a general guide on how to deal with bullying. It states that all incidents of bullying should be documented, and outlines steps that must be taken to treat with both offenders and bullying. The guidelines, however, fail to give a comprehensive response to bullying to treat with the possible root causes of bullying, in effect leaving it up to the respective schools to find their own ways of dealing with it.

Given the gravity of the situation, an anti-bullying policy ought to be developed and implemented by the education ministry, the Child Protection and Family Services Agency and other relevant stakeholders. This policy needs to take into consideration the social and cultural factors that influence bullying and implement strategies to deal with same.

NICKOY WILSON

Policy and Advocacy Manager

Equality For All Foundation