Zero tolerance ineffective policy

Zero tolerance policies in school were built around dealing out harsh and indiscriminate punishment to offenders regardless of the circumstance. The purpose of this policy was to create a safer environment for students by creating a deterrent for bullying and other illicit activities.

The problem is that this system is at best ineffective and at worst counterproductive. We have all heard of some ridiculous stories of excessive punishment being doled out to children for doing as little as using finger guns on the playground. The problems with this policy go well beyond some absurd stories though, as it can have terrible effects on children. One such effect is students not knowing it’s OK to stand up for yourself.

As if being bullied in the first place was not bad enough, now these poor children can’t even stand up and defend themselves or they will face the exact same punishment as their bully.

NBC reports that because of this in many cases bullying can go unreported for the fear of punishment for just being involved in the altercation regardless of the role played.

If the victims are more afraid of the policy meant to protect them than they are of the people causing them pain, something has been done horribly wrong. Therefore I believe the zero tolerance policy should be abolished, and that an improved policy should be implemented, one that betters protects the students.

Ben MacDonald,

Souris Regional student