How do Monegasque schools fight against bullying?
On the occasion of the entry into force of the law on the fight against school bullying, the direction of Charles III College and that of the International School of Monaco (ISM), explain to us how they fight this scourge, which sometimes leads to the irreparable.
About twenty reports are reported each year in the Principality and the subject is now taken very seriously. The entry into force of Law No. 1513 of December 3, 2021 is proof of this. If this text makes it possible to identify, prevent, report, deal with and repress situations of harassment and violence in the school environment, many schools have not waited for its implementation to take measures.
“The elements contained in the law on harassment have, for the most part, been applied for many years, says Cédric Bertrand, Principal of Charles III College. But it was indeed essential to have a legal framework in this area, in order to protect both the victims and the people involved, or the establishment. From now on, everyone knows their role and can rely on a text to define what they can or cannot do, which was not required before. »
Similarly, upon reading the text, Lindsay MacKenzie-Wright, Deputy Director of Welfare at the International School of Monaco, did not hide his satisfaction. “The law will not imply any change in the school, but it will give weight to our policy and to everything we have put in place so far. »
There is sanction when it is necessary
Difficult to manage situations
All schools – even the most preventive ones – face bullying. “This phenomenon can occur in all schools and perhaps more particularly in colleges” testifies the director of the College Charles III, in which one to three cases are proven each year.
To deal with these delicate situations, the two establishments questioned have qualified trained personnel, as now stipulated by law. “Listening must be initiated by a harassment and violence referent or a school psychologistexplains the principal. As for adults, a survey is then conducted. This phase is generally followed by a dialogue between the people concerned. There is a sanction when necessary, both in the interest of the victim and of the student who committed the acts..
17
Like the number of reports made since January 2022
Before arriving at sanctions, the two directors focus first on prevention and substantial work is carried out upstream. “We raise awareness among staff and students, in particular through stakeholders such as Action Innocence Monaco, who have been doing remarkable work for years. We also pay a lot of attention to awareness days, such as World Anti-Bullying Day, which takes place in November.”, says Cédric Bertrand. For its part, the ISM uses an online system, where everyone can report an abnormal behavior or situation, whether it takes place in class, in the playground, in the hallways or in the cafeteria.
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Today, the argument can degenerate very quickly with group conversations and social networks
Social media has changed the game
Addressing school bullying is proving more difficult today than it was a few years ago, as many cases are reported online. “15 years ago, when an argument broke out in the playground, it ended at 4 p.m. and the children went home. Today, the argument follows them, and it can degenerate very quickly with group conversations and social networks in general. “says the deputy director of the ISM.
It is for this reason that students are made aware and educated. Because education, “It’s not just maths, English or science, it’s also learning respect, to integrate into society” she continues.
In both schools, the entire educational community is involved, but at ISM, the students are the main actors. “We have, from primary to high school, student ambassadors trained by an anti-bullying specialist. This means that if a student encounters a problem, they can approach an adult from the school as well as a student ambassador. »
According to Lindsay MacKenzie-Wright, the action is even more effective if it comes from a student. All of them are accustomed to reacting if they witness a scene of harassment or violence.
Parents also have a role to play. “If you don’t work with them, your efforts won’t pay off” we think of the international school, in which workshops are regularly organized with families.
What does the government think?
For Isabelle Bonnal, General Commissioner in charge of the Department of National Education, Youth and Sports (DENJS), Law No. 1513 on the fight against bullying and violence in schools is “an important step forward […] to prevent and treat this phenomenon in the Principality”. It defines school bullying as “subjecting a pupil to repeated actions or omissions having as their object or effect a deterioration in their learning or school life conditions”.