The Ministry of Education of the Government of the Canary Islands has studied the cases of bullying that occurred in Lanzarote during the current academic year 2023-2024. On the occasion of World Anti-Bullying Day, a 31% reduction in bullying cases has been reported so far this year throughout the Canary Islands.
In the case of Lanzarote, the cases that have been studied are only five. Sources from the Ministry have informed La Voz that these possible detected cases are "in the process of resource activation", so some may be confirmed and others may not.
Regarding the entire Archipelago, compared to the same period of the previous academic year (from September 1 to March 1), the confirmed cases have decreased from 23 to 16, which is seven less. The corresponding services have been activated on 145 occasions this year, compared to 256 previously. Meanwhile, the number of activations of existing resources for their study has fallen by 44%, according to data from the Bullying Prevention and Assistance Service (SPACAE) of the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training, Physical Activity and Sports.
This data confirms that "the downward trend continues in both requests for resource activation and confirmations of bullying, an improvement that would be related to the creation, in all public and subsidized schools in the Canary Islands, of the figure of the coordinating person for the well-being and protection of students", according to the department headed by Poli Suárez.
A figure in charge of the well-being and protection of students
These figures coincide with the celebration, this Thursday, of World Anti-Bullying Day, in which the Ministry of Education highlights the "figure of the coordinating person for the well-being and protection of students, whose main function is the prevention of bullying in schools." In that sense, since last year, there has been in schools the figure of the coordinating person for the well-being and protection of students, whose main function is the prevention, detection, intervention and accompaniment in possible cases of bullying in the schools of the islands. In addition, they manage the action protocol in the event of a possible case of bullying, contribute to the design or updating of the coexistence plan and promote actions for positive coexistence.
Likewise, they put into practice alternative methods of peaceful conflict resolution, such as the mediation service, and collaborate in the development of activities, campaigns, plans and programs aimed at preventing bullying and improving coexistence and the well-being and protection of students.
From the Government of the Canary Islands, "we reaffirm our commitment to fight against bullying, reinforcing and updating both the regulatory framework and the mechanisms that our schools have to become safe, respectful and violence-free spaces for coexistence", according to the Director General of Educational Planning, Inclusion and Innovation, David Pablos.
Training
In order to fight against bullying, the Ministry has made in recent months an "important effort in terms of training and support for the coordinating persons for the well-being and protection of students", to whom it will "continue to provide tools so that the Canary Islands schools offer protective environments that promote individual and social well-being."
This year 23-24, a training course was given during the first quarter aimed at teachers who are accessing this coordination for the first time, and, in the second quarter, the first conferences were held to improve school coexistence, aimed at all teachers who work to achieve the well-being of students and make the Canary Islands schools inclusive, safe and free of bullying environments.
In addition, the Ministry has several programs and projects that promote a safe environment for both teachers and students. These include the 'School Plan for Positive Coexistence', the projects and plans offered by the 'Educating for Equality Program', the 'Attention to Diversity Plan' or the thematic axis of the InnovAS Equality and Affective-Sexual and Gender Education network, as well as projects aimed at health education and emotional education, such as the 'School and Health Program'.