Safe Schools Amendment Act

Over the past fifteen years, there have been many changes and amendments to the Public Schools Act (PSA). Indeed, this is only right, considering the everchanging nature of society. New innovations in ideas and technologies have shifted all society environments, especially the school environment. Undoubtedly, because these advancements, many issues and challenges the school system once faced are now things of the past. However, despite all these advancements there are still issues that remain unresolved. Bullying is certainly one of these issues. This is due to the fact that bullying manifests itself in many forms, such as verbal, physical and more recently through the internet. Fortunately, members of the school systems always remain steadfast

in combatting this problem the plagues the school environment. For instance, Bill 18, The Safe Schools Amendment Act was passed with hope of accomplishing just that. However, like any legislative actions, Bill 18 should not be put beyond scrutiny. The acknowledgement of its advantages and disadvantages to the school systems is integral to its improvement. Therefore, in order to fulfill the promise of eliminating bullying from school environments members of the school system must build on Bill 18’s successes while acknowledging its limitations and continue to improve upon them.
Keeping Up With the Times
When it comes to the successes of the Safe Schools Amendment Act, one of its notable advantages towards today’s schools is the fact that it addresses issues of bullying not only of the past but, more importantly, issues of bullying in today’s society.

It was only a couple decades ago when the idea of bullying implied physical and verbal harassments done in the person. Times have changed and so did the means of bullying. Nowadays, the bullying not only manifests itself through physical and verbal interaction but also the through online virtual harassments known as Cyrberbullying. To elaborate, the concept of cyerbullying is the aggressive, intentional act carried out by a group or individual, using electronic forms of contact, repeatedly and over time against a victim who cannot easily defend him or herself. (Cheng 2012) Indeed, the internet and social media has both pros and cons. Ease of communication and access to information and knowledge are certainly a few of the advantageous biproducts of being exposed to these. However, since the internet and social media is an amoral entity, while it can be used to aid and help students excel academically, it can also be used to harm them. Arguably, since it is significantly easier communicate one’s feelings and sentiments through the web, these entails an easier way to express hateful and hurtful sentiments to other people. Leaking inappropriate pictures of other people or communicating calls for violence towards a specific

individual or group of people, are a couple of the prime examples of how bullying occurs online. Because of the internet, bullying has become easier for individuals who participate in such actions. According to Statistics Canada, nearly around 20% Internet users, ages 15 to 29 reported having been bullied and stalked online and nearly 41% of young Internet users who experienced both cyberbullying and cyberstalking have reported being negatively affected emotionally, psychologically or mentally (Statistics Canada 2016). This poses a great concern for the members of the educational system, as student safety is considered a top priority. In response to these concerns, the Manitoba Government passed the Safe Schools Amendment Act. Apart from addressing the growing concerns regarding the negative effects of bullying of any sorts, it also outlines the steps and procedure when resolving such problems should they ever arise in schools. One these steps, involve immediately reporting acts of bullying to the principal as soon as soon as reasonably possible as well as proactive training for teachers and other staff about bullying prevention, and strategies for promoting respect for human diversity and a positive school environment. (Safe Schools Act 2012) Following these reactive and proactive will ensure safety in a school but also provide a learning environment with a positive and inclusive culture. While Bill 18 may not be a perfect law, it is not set in stone; as long as members of educational system remain open to the idea of innovation and improvements, Manitoba will undoubtedly be on route to having safer and safer schools for their teachers and students.
Promotion of Diversity and Inclusivity
Apart from bullying, the Safe Schools Amendment Act also seeks to resolve with problems dealing with discrimination within schools.

One of the three opportunities education must offer is the equality of treatment. (Wotherspoon 1998) However, 16-25% of visual minorities (male and female) ages 15 and over experience reported experiencing discrimination or unfair treatment when attending schools. In addition, 15-16% of non-minorities have reported experiencing discrimination. Regardless of the difference the quantity of discriminatory experiences between minorities and non-minorities, the crux of the matter is that students are experiencing unfairness and discrimination from an environment that is supposed to promote equality and inclusivity. The Manitoba Government sought to end this problem too through the Respect for Human Diversity Policy. Under law, educational institutions across Manitoba are obligated to promote and enhance a safe and inclusive learning environment all members of the educational community. In addition, schools must strive to promote the acceptance of and respect for others and the creation of a positive school environment. (Safe Schools Act 2012) The promotion of multiculturalism within ultimately improves the quality of education amongst immigrants. In fact, immigrants who are encouraged to join projects with other ethnic groups are more successful in the settlement and integration process. For example, better language proficiency and fluency, more job

opportunities, etcOne way to promote this inclusive environment is to allow students to form organizations within that represent and empower their identities. Organizations that promote gender equity, antiracism, respect for all sexual orientations and gender identities should be allowed to form so long as they stay true to mission to promote a positive learning environment for all pupils. However, of course there are some conflicts with this idea. Often time the arguments against the establishment of such groups are of the religious nature. However, it is important to acknowledge that school is not meant to be a religious place. It is a place for students to learn and it is the duty of the school to ensure that such a place provides a culture that will help students achieve that goal. Therefore, if forming a “Gay Straight Alliance” will contribute to the positive self-actualization of students as they learn, they should not be denied permission to do so. Although, the Safe Schools Amendment Act, will give rise to some conflicts, its intent is for the best interest of the pupils. Indeed, the bill is not perfect, but it also not set in stone. So long as the bill I never put beyond the realm of criticization, improvements and progress will soon follow.

Room For Improvements
Though the Safe Schools Amendment Act, was designed to ensure the best learning environment for students, it certainly does not guarantee a perfection within the educational community. Like any other the bills that have been passed throughout Manitoba’s history, the Safe Schools Amendment Act will have its conflicts and criticism. However, criticisms of any ideas can be very advantageous even to those who propose them, as it allows for the recognition of its successes but also address the thing that need improvement. In case the, of Bill 18 one of its criticisms may lie in its definition of diversity. While the bill does address acknowledge the challenges face different, genders, sexual orientations, and race, it does not take into account other forms of diversity. Specifically, the diversity of ideas should be a top priority in schools. Promoting in the diversity of ideas ultimately invites students into expressing their individuality. Diversity of thought goes beyond the affirmation of equality. (Diaz-Uda, Medina, Schill 2013) Instead, the focus is on realizing the full potential of people by acknowledging and appreciating the potential promise of each person’s unique perspective and different way of thinking. (Diaz-Uda, Medina, Schill 2013) Nowadays students are still somewhat expected to think the way the that their teachers do without questioning it (whether it is intentional or non-intentional). However, if the school system seeks to guarantee progress and success in the future, the cultivation of the individual ideas of students must be done at an early age. Students must not be shamed for their, religious views, their political views or their ideological views. Instead they should be allowed to express these internal beliefs but at the same time be allowed to be exposed to different ones. Exposure to different world views helps students obtain a well-rounded mind not just hand molded by educators. While it is essential to promote diversity of culture, race, gender, sexual orientation, the promoting the crosspollination of the thoughts. While doing this may run the risk of disagreements, progress and the creation of great ideas and innovation is often borne in the realm of an open exchange in the ideas and opinions. Should the Manitoba Government as well as the school system aim for progress within school, it is imperative that both work in tandem to promote all of the different kinds of diversity to guarantee the best learning experience for all students.
In conclusion, Bill 18 Safe School Amendment Act seeks to provide a safe learning environment for all students. The bill addresses the negative effects bullying (in all forms that it manifests) while also providing ways deal and resolve such problems. Additionally, the Safe Schools Act allows for the cultivation of an accepting and inclusive learning environment through its diversity policies. Indeed, while it is not a perfect law, Bill 18, at the very least, provides a strong foundation for a safe and inclusive learning environment. Furthermore, the Safe Schools Amendment Act is not beyond criticism and should not be for the sake of progress. Undoubtedly, so long as the validity and effectiveness of the Act remains open for discussion, Manitoba will continue to see progress and improvement in their school environment now and later on in the future.