Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, you wouldn't know that it's anti-bullying day today the way that we're picking on the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, but he's being a trooper and we thank him. Can the Minister provide the House with some information on how the Department of Education, Culture, and Employment works with DECs and DEAs to make sure that schools are safe environments for students, teachers, and visitors to the schools.
Masi. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't mind the picking-on today. In terms of DEAs, DECs, as I mentioned, we have developed a handbook. We are providing orientation workshops to newly elected members. Other things we are doing are these bullying prevention and intervention strategies and resources that were developed by national experts that are available, and also ensuring that when we develop this Territorial School Code of Conduct, as well as the Safe and Caring Schools Regulations that all visitors have to abide by those rules. The department will continue to support ongoing professional development and staff training as schools develop their Safe and Caring Schools Regulations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I thank the Minister for his answer. We know that awareness is one of the key tools to combating bullying. Can the Minister tell the Assembly what kinds of public promotion the department has taken to demonstrate that bullying is not okay?
Earlier today in the speech that I gave in the Great Hall, we do a contest, a Stand Up and Stop Bullying campaign where we recognize students who have developed some visuals. We also have visuals in the school, in the public. We have a website that has, I believe, over 3,000 likes on it, as well as a Facebook page. The website is stopbullyingNWT.ca. We are taking a multi-pronged approach at this. Schools are also open to do their own awareness campaign to stop bullying. In the schools that I have been in, I have seen the posters in the hallways and in the classrooms as well.
One final question, then I'll stop picking on the Minister. We know that even if there are services available, some victims may not know how to reach out and get help. Can the Minister advise us what supports are available to help students who are being bullied and feel isolated?
There are many ways. As I mentioned to a Member earlier, we have the Skills for Healthy Relationships program, grades 7 to 12; the WITS program, kindergarten to grade 6; and the Positive Behaviour Support, kindergarten to grade 12. We also encourage students to talk to their parents, talk to their teachers, their peers, or a trusting adult. We are also working with other organizations where they are implementing some of their own anti-bullying programs. I believe through the Red Cross, we're looking and exploring ways at using their RespectED program. We are looking at that right now, to see how we can implement those in some of the schools. Anything that we can to mitigate the effects of bullying, the devastating effects it, not only has on our students, but also our teachers.
Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.
