My daughter, along with many of our family friends' children, faces bullying daily at school. It breaks my heart to see her and others subjected to such distressing situations. This is not an isolated issue; bullying has grown rampant in our educational institutions, extending even to the staff. Teachers are being assaulted and threatened, creating an unsafe and chaotic environment.

Bullying in schools is a grave issue that can have devastating effects on children's mental and physical well-being. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, around 20% of students ages 12-18 experience bullying nationwide. These statistics translate to millions of children who suffer in silence, their education and mental health compromised. It's unacceptable for any child to dread going to school because of fear for their safety.

The current management plans laid out by the Department of Education have proven ineffective. We need to urge the relevant authorities to revisit and revise these plans urgently. Schools should be a safe haven, a nurturing environment where every child can learn and grow without fear. To achieve this, we recommend implementing the following actionable solutions:

1. Introduce comprehensive anti-bullying policies that are consistently enforced & reviewed quarterly. Clearly define bullying behaviours and establish a no-tolerance policy, anchored around not removing or isolating the victim, but in supporting them.

2. Provide immediate supervision of “Trouble Areas” until the area becomes a Safe Environment for all.

3. Parents of repeat offenders to present themselves with their children to the local Community Police Station to discuss unacceptable behaviour & to be provided with information to assist them in correcting the issues that may be causing their children to conduct themselves the way they are. Support of these families in their efforts to correct a child’s behaviour from local community groups.

4. Provide mandatory training for teachers and staff on how to recognise, prevent, and properly handle bullying incidents. Support for teachers to be able to enforce consequences on students who break student Code of Conduct

5. Perpetrators to be held accountable, receive consequences including exclusion from school activities, isolation from peers & suspension/expulsion for repeat offenders or any forms of bullying that result in an assault on a victim.

6. Provide support and reentry programs for the perpetrators who show a willingness to be held accountable for their actions, show remorse to their victims, accept the consequences of their actions/words & would like the opportunity to become a positive member of the school and community once again.

7. Provide support for the victims to ensure they have access to the resources needed to be able to make a full recovery mentally & physically.

8. Establish a dedicated task force involving educators, parents, and students to develop proactive strategies for bullying prevention and intervention.

9. Provide Teachers with the support & resources to ensure their workplace maintains a safe environment.

10. Immediate support for all teachers being verbally and/or physically abused by students. No tolerance policy’s to be implemented for any students intimidating, threatening & assaulting staff. Immediate expulsion for any students who threaten to or physically assault a teacher.

By taking these steps, we can ensure our schools are safe and nurturing environments. Sign this petition to demand urgent action from the Department of Education and ensure that students and teachers are protected from bullying and violence.