Flemish minister of education supports mandatory anti-bullying policies in schools
Flemish minister of education Zuhal Demir (N-VA) has given her full support for implementing mandatory anti-bullying policies in schools. Responding to a call from the Flemish Student Union (Scholierenkoepel) on Friday, Demir announced her intention to make such policies a legal requirement.
Several hundred students gathered in the Flemish Parliament on Friday, led by the Scholierenkoepel, to urge the government to enforce anti-bullying measures in schools.
"I support the students 100 per cent," Demir stated. "A mandatory anti-bullying policy for schools will be introduced. I am currently looking into how I can legally oblige schools to do so. Behavioral problems, such as bullying, will be included in the school contract. The school inspectorate will also monitor this."
The minister noted the importance of creating "an easily accessible reporting system" for bullying incidents. She also stressed the need for parental involvement, both for the parents of bullied children and those of bullies. These measures will be part of a broader policy plan addressing bullying and transgressive behaviour in schools.
Demir highlighted that the recent smartphone ban in schools was "a first important step" toward fostering a healthier school environment.
Unifying school measures
The Scholierenkoepel, while recognising the efforts already being made to combat bullying, pointed out that there are still significant discrepancies between schools. Chairperson Gabriel Leka noted, "A lot is already being done against bullying, but the differences between schools remain considerable."
The organisation draws inspiration from the French-language education system, where an anti-bullying policy has been mandatory for some time.
#FlandersNewsService | Flemish minister for education Zuhal Demi © PHOTO BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM
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