The Canary Islands are one of the first regions with a high number of bullying cases, a concerning issue that experts in mental health and education believe can be reduced through the implementation of programs and initiatives aimed at ending abuse within classrooms.
This issue, which currently impacts students of all ages leading to negative effects on their emotional well-being, academic performance, and overall quality of life, serves as the foundation for a proposal that Juan Manuel Hermoso, a non-attached councillor of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council, will present at the upcoming plenary session scheduled for the end of this month. The aim of this proposal is to garner unanimous support from all political parties with representation in the municipality to declare the capital a Bullying-Free City.
Speaking to DIARIO DE AVISOS, the councillor elaborated that the proposal is centred around securing the commitment of the plenary to “implement policies, programmes, and specific actions to prevent and eliminate bullying in all educational and sports facilities within the city, as well as introducing a badge denoting a bullying-free zone for centres that comply with the protocol.”
Key points of the proposal include: enhancing the training and awareness of teachers, support staff, students, and families on bullying prevention; fostering values of respect, inclusion, and empathy; seeking the assistance of the National Police and Local Police not just in addressing incidents outside the classroom, but also in providing guidance to students on cyberbullying prevention through workshops. Additionally, the proposal calls for the establishment of mediators selected from students by schools, Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), and Child Care Centres, to engage not only with the victims but also with the perpetrators, acting as liaisons with families and educators.
Lastly, the agreement urges the Government of the Canary Islands to allocate the necessary resources to educational institutions to customise prevention, detection, and intervention tools regarding bullying to meet the specific requirements of students with autism.
