The St George Secondary School is saying no to bullying.
The Constant, St George school is the latest to adopt the Olweus Bullying Prevention Programme, an international initiative designed to improve peer relations and make schools safer and more positive places for students to learn and develop.
The programme is being implemented by Supreme Counselling for Personal Development as part of its Project Rescue and funded by the Maria Holder Trust.
The Olweus Bullying Prevention Programme was launched at St George Secondary School on Friday. (Picture by Jameel Springer)
At the official launch today at the school, chief executive officer of Supreme Counselling, Shawn Clarke, a certified Olweus trainer and consultant, said bullying was the root of criminal activity as physical bullying was assault, mental bullying was defamation and online bullying was stalking.
“It is the violation of one’s personal rights . . . raping someone of what should otherwise be a memorable and enjoyable school life,” he said.
Clarke said studies showed bullying had far reaching and long lasting physical and psycho-social effects on the victims while bullies often ended up as substance abusers and criminals, which was why a holistic approach was needed. He said the plan was to compile data and evidence and present a paper to Government detailing why the Olweus programme should be utilised across all schools.
The programme is currently taking place in five schools – Frederick Smith Secondary School, The Lester Vaughan School, Grantley Adams Memorial Secondary School, Wesley Hall Infants School and St George Secondary School. (CA)