The School Bus Inspection Section is once again addressing a school bus incident between a high school and primary school student.
The incident occurred recently on Bishop Hill. A student from a high school in the Philipsburg area entered the school bus and slapped a student from a primary school because of seating preference. The student in question was also aggressive towards the school bus driver.
The high school student parent was notified and was informed that the student may not take the school bus until the incident has been fully addressed.
There have been other incidents in the past by other students such as school bag snatching, removal of lunch money from a student’s bag; pushing or demanding one to move from their seat; teasing of timid students that begins on school premises and continues on the bus.
Section Head School Bussing and Taxi Dispatching Inspection Department of Economic Affairs Martha Thewet, says that school bus bullying will be addressed in a workshop for bus drivers with respect to how to handle it should an incident occur on the bus.
Bullying is unwarranted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time.
Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.
"Parents, and school staff, have a role to play in preventing bullying. Children and young teenagers need to be explained and understand bullying and learn how to treat others with kindness and respect.
"Fighting in a school bus is dangerous and it threatens the safety of those on the bus as well as other motorized traffic on the road. It is the responsibility of the section to ensure reliable, comfortable and safe bussing of students," Section Head School Bussing and Taxi Dispatching Inspection Department of Economic Affairs Martha Thewet told the Department of Communication on Monday.
Bullying can threaten students’ physical and emotional safety at school and can negatively impact their ability to learn. The best way to address bullying is to stop it before it starts.
Riding on the school bus is a privilege, a service provided by Government at no cost.
School busses are privately owned vehicles and parents will be held responsible for their child/children’s actions.
Anybody who sees any unusual behavior on or with a school bus is encouraged to report this to the Inspection Section at telephone number 542-4511 or 542-4509 or call the Police if it is an immediate danger.