Ontario’s Provincial Code of Conduct sets clear standards of behaviour for individual school boards to follow, so that they can develop their own codes of conduct.1 The Provincial Code of Conduct in the Education Act that pertains to the promotion of a safe school has been amended to include prevention of bullying in school.2
Moreover, in an effort to shed light on bullying issues and problems within the school environment, every third week of every November is deemed to be Ontario’s Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week.3 The purpose is to focus the school community on promoting a safer learning environment for all students, and provide a valuable opportunity to raise awareness of bullying-related issues with parents and the local community.4
What does it mean in practice?
A necessary condition for student success is a positive and inclusive school environment. Building a positive and inclusive school climate requires a ‘whole school approach’ that is based on healthy and respectful relationships throughout the whole school and community.5 PPM 144 defines school climate as “the learning environment and relationships found within a school and school community”.6 A positive school climate exists when all members of the school community feel safe, included, and accepted, and actively promote positive behaviours and interactions.7
Providing students with an opportunity to learn and develop in a safe, inclusive, and accepting school climate is a shared responsibility in which school boards and schools play an important role.8 Schools that have bullying prevention and intervention policies foster a positive learning and teaching environment that supports academic achievement for all students and that helps students reach their full potential.9 In turn, principals are required to ensure that bullying prevention and intervention policies are implemented at the school-level.
1. The Provincial Code of Conduct and School Board Codes of Conduct, P.P.M No. 128 (December 5, 2012), pg. 2. Online: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/extra/eng/ppm/128.pdf.
2. Education Act R.S.O. 1990, CHAPTER E., s.301 (2).
3. Ibid., ss.300.0.2(1).
4. Ibid., ss.300.0.2(2).
5. Bill 13, An Act to amend the Education Act with respect to bullying and other matters, 1st Sess, 40th Leg, Ontario, 2012, Preamble. Online: http://www.ontla.on.ca/bills/bills-files/40_Parliament/Session1/b013ra.pdf.
6. Bullying Prevention and Intervention, PPM No. 144 (December 5, 2012), p.1. Online: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/extra/eng/ppm/144.pdf.
7. Ibid.
8. Ibid.
9. Ibid.