“Let me ascribe to the already established protocol, ladies and gentlemen, good morning. As TCI National Youth Ambassador I would like to contribute to today’s youth forum on the topic “ How schools should address bullying”. May I challenge your memory by saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”? Obviously that was not the case. The death of Rebecca Ann Sedwick, a 12-year-old 7th grader who took her life 7 months ago in Polk County Florida proves that words are capable of harming vulnerable young children. Both physical and nonphysical forms can and do happen anywhere in the school, on the way to and from school, and even online. According to Motion Picture, 2012 Bully, “ Bullying is the most common form of violence experienced by young people.” This significantly means that us Turks and Caicos must address this immediately.
“As we know, bullying remains one of the largest problems in schools, with the percentage of students reportedly bullied at least once per week steadily increasing since 1999. Additionally, cyber bullying has become more rampant and has contributed to the suicides of multiple children. The Internet has unleashed spitefulness to a degree unseen before. Thanks to the accessibility to the Internet and the affordability of new technology, bullies now have multiple ways to harass their victims. The current generation has the added ability to use technology to expand their reach and the extent of their attacks exponentially.
“Most school bullying takes place in areas that are less supervised by adults, such as in the student cafeteria or “tuck-shop” as we know it, in restrooms, corridors, and of course classrooms.
“Schools need to create an action plan to address these spots. I suggest we address these spots by additional adults or using security techniques including closed circuit cameras. Students and parents need to know that the school takes bullying seriously and will take any actions, including arrest to prevent its occurrence. Reduce the amount of time students can spend unsupervised. Because much bullying occurs during the least supervised time, reducing the unsupervised amount of time available to students can reduce the amount of bullying. Provide classroom activities and discussions related to bullying and violence, including the harm that they cause and strategies to reduce their incidence. Involve students in establishing classroom rules against bullying and steps they can take if they see it happening. My fellow people, these are just a few of many ways to address bullying, we must take this is as a careful consideration.
“Bullying is not something that will fly by tomorrow, but will last a lifetime if not treated properly in schools in the Turks and Caicos. As we have this youth forum today let our thoughts, suggestions and skills be aided together in eradicating bullying in such a way that the topic today be rephrased to “Eradicate Bullying now or never” The youth is our future, as we often say, but bullying leaves no future perhaps not even a brighter day.
“Thank you.”
Donte Francis
National Youth Ambassador
