In recent times, the Grade Four children of the primary schools on the island have been staging an anti-bullying rally in the month of October. On the morning of Friday October 23rd, all primary schools met on the grounds of the public library to participate in an anti-bullying road-march with police escort.
The event was held in conjunction with the observance of World Anti-bullying month, and was designated as a “Building Positive Relationship/Anti-Bullying Rally”, with the theme “United Against Bullying”.
The road-march, which was accompanied by anti-bullying songs and chants, followed the route that led from the public library heading west, turning left at the roundabout, past the St. Marys Pro-Cathedral, turning left at National Commercial Bank of Anguilla, up St. Mary’s Street, turning left towards the traffic light at Lake’s Haberdashery, and returning to the library grounds where the children enjoyed some wonderful refreshments against the backdrop of more familiar music.
Attending the rally was the Chief Education Officer, Mr. Bren Romney. In speaking to the students, he mentioned: “We have gotten a rule from Jesus Himself.” When he asked who could tell what that Golden Rule was, one boy in the crowd quickly stuck up his hand and answered, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” “You are right! Give him a round of applause,” Mr. Romney exclaimed.
After soliciting from the children what they would like others to do to them, and upon receiving many responses, Mr. Romney told them emphatically that since they would like people to do so many wonderful things to them, they in turn must be considerate enough to show kindness, love, care and respect to others. He encouraged them to repeat the words of Jesus often and — advised them that if they obey that Golden Rule they would avoid all of the unnecessary hurt, violence and disappointments in school and throughout life.
In her address to the students, Guidance Counselor, Mrs. Chanicia Fredrick-Buchanan, said in part: “Today, we are observing October as Anti-Bullying Month. The aim of Ant-Bullying Month is to raise awareness of the negative impacts that bullying can have in our schools, homes and communities. This year, the theme chosen is “United Against Bullying”. It is our hope that you would become advocates for the reduction and prevention of bullying in your schools, as well as within your homes and communities. You must always choose kindness and love over hatred, and challenge others to do the same.”
The Anguilian spoke with Mrs. Fredrick-Buchanan following the rally. She explained: “This morning our rally focused on building positive relationships. We want not only the students to be involved in our fight against bullying, but we need to have our parents and all teachers on board with us, as well, in our efforts to eradicate the trend of bullying, particularly in our schools. Everyone must be involved in order for this fight to be victorious.”
“Bullying in school is a serious issue that can affect us,” she said, “not only in Anguilla, but it is a worldwide problem which has the potential to negatively impact a child’s learning, and their relationships. It also leads to children not wanting to attend school and, unfortunately, in some instances — it has been know around the world — children have gone to the extreme to commit suicide. So we want to bring awareness to this issue every year.”
While Anguilla has no incidents of suicides linked to bullying at schools, studies show that in other countries schools have been directly subject to this blight.
Research shows that is some countries “bully victims are between two to nine times more likely to consider suicide than non-victims, according to studies by Yale University. A study in Britain found that at least half of the suicides among young people are related to bullying, and girls ages ten to fourteen may be at even higher risk for suicide. Besides, according to statistics reported by ABC News, nearly 30 percent of students are either bullies or victims of bullying, and 160,000 kids stay home from school every day because of fear of bullying.”
Friday morning’s event was organised by the Primary Schools’ Guidance Counselors in collaboration with Partners Advocating For Violence Eradication (PAVE) — Anguilla’s National Anti-Violence Committee.
– Staff Reporter, James R. Harrigan
