Hazing prevention program offered in schools
The Newfoundland and Labrador English School District (NLESD) is introducing a new hazing prevention education program in schools throughout the province.
Hazing Prevention NLESD was developed in partnership with the provincial Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development, School Sports Newfoundland and Labrador, and Sport Newfoundland and Labrador. It was piloted in select schools last year.
“This program is on the leading edge in Canada,” said Goronwy Price, chair of the NLESD board of trustees. “Our district and our partners feel strongly that hazing prevention education is necessary for students, staff, coaches and others within the school community.”
Representatives from schools offering Grades 7-12 are being offered a full day of training this year, with the intent that they will conduct sessions in their respective schools.
According to the NLESD — which represents approximately 64,000 students and more than 8,200 employees in more than 250 schools — the program will reinforce the board’s student athletics policy and send a message that hazing will not be tolerated among student athletes, teams, clubs or organized groups within schools.
Price said the hazing prevention program is just one of a number of policies, programs and initiatives taken to prevent and address harassment and violence of any nature in district schools.
Information on hazing prevention on the NLESD’S website (www.nlesd.ca/families/hazing. jsp) says hazing continues to be an issue in some of the province’s schools, “and there appears to be an escalation in terms of the violent nature of the incidents.” It says anti-hazing education is crucial.
Topics to be discussed in the program include hazing versus bullying, hazing statistics, the Criminal Code of Canada, consequences of hazing, severity of hazing and the step-up model. The education session integrates technology and Google apps for education and is interactive, providing online registration, quizzes, videos and resources for students, staff, coaches and volunteers.