Mr. Speaker, I'll try my question again, since you told me last time I was changing horses in midstream.
I'd like to address my question to the Minister of Education. Does the department have a zero-tolerance policy that addresses violence toward teachers in school?
Mahsi. Mr. Speaker, we do have policies with the school boards and different authorities at the community level. They establish their own zero-tolerance policies for teachers. It is in the works with each organization in the community. Mahsi.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to know whether or not the department has any particular actions or programs that are in place to oversee what the district education councils or the school boards are doing, relative to zero-tolerance policies.
Mahsi. Mr. Speaker, our department works closely with the authorities and the school boards and has frequent contact with the superintendent of school operations. If issues arise, then there are protocols that they follow, a process, according to the policies that we have in place.
Yes, there is a system in place, with open communication and dialogue between our department and the communities. Mahsi.
Mr. Speaker, one last question. I guess I would take from that answer that there is nothing in place, from a department perspective, that ensures that teachers are in a safe environment in their school and their classroom.
Mr. Speaker, we have to work with the local school boards, and also the organizations, the authorities. They establish their own policies within the school system, and we continue to support them with developing their policies, with their changes.
Within our own ECE department we continue working with them to develop those policies and regulations and different program areas. Mahsi.
