Indian Affairs

Proposed education regulations and First Nations and stakeholders` reactions in Ontario Student Professor Course Date NOTE Education in the province of Ontario is very crucial and is taken seriously by everyone. It is very critical since it is the factor that moulds the young into productive and constructive individuals. It prepares them to face the everyday challenges and struggles of life. That is why everyone must give it great thought into ensuring that the environment in which it is provided is conducive and accommodating to all. It must be treasured and should be made sure that those that desire to learn, which everyone is, is given without measure. Many will try use it as avenues to achieving their selfish goals and objectives but it is proper that policies and regulations governing it are stipulated and amended when need arises (Herskowitz,, 1999). The government acknowledges the fact that there are regulations governing education already, but there is some new legislation that has been proposed to govern education. This new legislation has several provisions in it of which some are an amendment of already existing rules whereas others are new laws which are expected to be in effect in immediately. One of the laws enacted in the education act is one that redefines the meaning of the term bullying, and is sec.1 (1) of the act. The government and everyone are concerned of the state of learning environment that the students learn (Rosenthal, 2008). It is believed that the environment should be free of any form of insecurity and be safe and provide a positive climate to facilitate the student`s studies. Bullying has been given a meaning as an antagonistic behaviour by a student that is repetitive, and is either intended to cause harm, intimidate, inflict fear in an individual, and create a negative environment for a student. It is also defined as happening in situations where the bully feels superior to the other it terms of various characteristics such as race, intelligence, background, size, age and strength of the other party. The section has also been amended with the addition of the bullying and cyber-bullying subsection. These are meant to give clear distinctions of the two and to let everyone that bullying could happen in several ways (Rosenthal, 2008). The education act has also been amended by introducing a legislation that requires the board to formulate and implement an education policy that is inclusive and provides equity. The act also requires that the policy is submitted to the minister on requisition and suggested amendments on it implemented on the minister`s orders. The proposed legislation also establishes policies and guidelines respecting and promoting surveys. It also states that support and interventions to pupils who have been bullied, the bullies and those that have witnessed bullying be provided to them. It recognises that the support to such students should be provided by social workers, psychologists or even professionals only chosen by the board. The act on sec.169 also states that positive learning climate, safety and an all inclusive and accepting schools are created. It also proposes the establishment of disciplinary approaches so as to promote positive behaviours among the students. Section 300.0.2 also sets a day, precisely the first Sunday of November each year, to raise awareness on bullying and its prevention modes. Section 300.2 states that an employee shall in due course report to the head who is the principal and the principal should carry out investigations on matter reported and then communicate results of the matter to the party that reported. Section 301 of the act has also been amended by introducing a legislation governing agreements with third parties where the board has to ensure that the agreement is inclusive of the agreement by that party to follow standards in line with the school`s code of conduct. Section 301 also includes the responsibility of the minister to establish policies governing bullying, prevention and intervention. The section also stipulates that the minister may establish procedures and policies requiring the board to gather information pertaining to discipline, safety and behaviour in the learning institutions. Sec.301.1 also provides that the board should give full support to every activity that the students establish but which do not jeopardize the safety and positive climate for learning. The legislation is huge and its contents are many. I have only stated a few. Sec 314.5 also states that the board shall hand in annual reports to the minister and upon receiving the report, the minister posts on the ministry`s website suspension and expulsion information (Herskowitz,, 1999). ...