SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Oct. 31 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The number of cases of bullying in the Canary Islands has been reduced by 66.6 percent so far this year, as the number of activations of the competent services due to possible cases of physical or verbal intimidation has increased from the 66 registered between the months of September and October of last year at 10 p.m. of the same period this year.
This is clear from the data from the Prevention and Help Service against Bullying (SPACAE) of the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training, Physical Activity and Sports, which attributes this improvement to the creation, last year and in all public centers and concerted organizations of the Canary Islands, of the figure of the coordinating person for the well-being and protection of the students.
In total, in the 2022/2023 academic year, 343 files for possible bullying were opened in the Canary Islands, of which 36 were finally confirmed. The publication of these figures coincides with the celebration, this Thursday, November 2, of the International Day Against Violence and Bullying at School, including Cyberbullying.
“On the occasion of this anniversary, from the Government of the Canary Islands we reaffirm our commitment to fight against bullying, reinforcing and updating both the regulatory framework and the mechanisms that our centers have to become safe, respectful and free spaces for coexistence. of violence”, according to David Pablos, general director of Teaching Regulation, Inclusion and Innovation.
The coordinator for the well-being and protection of students facilitates prevention, detection, intervention and support in possible cases of bullying. In addition, it manages the action protocol in the event of a possible case of bullying, contributes to the design or updating of the coexistence plan and promotes actions for positive coexistence.
Likewise, it puts into practice alternative methods of peaceful conflict resolution such as the mediation service, or collaborate in the development of activities, campaigns, plans and programs that aim to prevent bullying and improve coexistence and well-being and protection of students.
Therefore, in order to maintain its commitment against bullying, the Ministry of Education has made a significant effort in recent months in terms of training and support of the coordinators for the well-being and protection of the students, to the that will continue to provide tools so that Canarian educational centers offer protective environments and promoters of individual and social well-being.
In addition, the Ministry has several programs and projects that provide a safe environment for both teachers and students. These are the Centers Plan for Positive Coexistence, the projects and plans offered by the Educate for Equality Program, the Diversity Attention Plan, or the thematic axis of the InnovAS Equality and Affective Sexual and Gender Education network. , as well as projects aimed at health education and emotional education such as the School and Health Program.
Likewise, within the framework of the school coexistence services of the Government of the Canary Islands, each center has its own plan adapted to its social and geographical reality, approved by the School Council and which includes the protocol for action against bullying. .
Finally, the Department’s School Bullying Prevention and Help Service (SPACAE) has an additional resource made up of a team of psychology professionals who receive requests for help, offer guidance for any doubts that may arise and carry out interventions. in cases that are activated as possible bullying.