Marvin Bernstein, P.E.I.’s Island’s Child and Youth Advocate, told a standing committee on education and economic growth on Sept. 18 students and families are losing trust in the education system’s ability to keep children safe. Photo by Vivian Ulinwa /The GuardianArticle contentPrince Edward Island’s child and youth advocate says students and families are losing trust in the education system’s ability to keep children safe.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentMarvin Bernstein gave a presentation to the standing committee on education and economic growth on Sept. 18, where he raised concerns about how incidents of sexual misconduct in schools have been handled, along with issues of bullying, racism and student wellbeing.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentBernstein said his office continues to hear from children, families and concerned adults who feel unsafe or ignored by school and education officials.Article content“They wonder why the system is still making the same mistakes. They want to know why reporting to child protection services and the police is not taking place,” he said.Article contentWidespread bullyingArticle contentIn his presentation, Bernstein said students and their families feel that safety is not guaranteed, reporting incidents of sexual assault and bullying taking place in areas of schools such as the school bus and washrooms.Article contentHe said parents and caregivers who contacted his office said they were frustrated because kids are made to feel like things aren’t a big deal and oftentimes their concerns are pushed under the rug.Article contentHe also said there have been reports of racism that include racist language, microaggressions and bias in schools.Article contentArticle contentSince 2022, his office has made 15 recommendations aimed at improving safety in Island schools, but Bernstein said progress has been slow.Article contentArticle content“There appears to be little progress in implementing my office’s recommendations to incorporate children’s rights as articulated in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into the Education Act.”Article contentOwning responsibilityArticle contentBernstein also raised concerns about who holds ultimate accountability for student safety. He said when he spoke to the deputy minister of education and early years, and asked if the minister would have ultimate accountability in a case of student safety, he was told it’s complicated and it’s a shared responsibility.Article content“My concern here is that no one wants to own this responsibility and would prefer for me to look elsewhere.”Article contentLiberal MLA Carolyn Simpson, who held senior roles in the education and early years department prior to her election in August, said that when responsibility is shared across multiple levels, accountability can be lost.“The act is very clear that the buck stops at the ministerial level,” Simpson said.
Child and youth advocate raises alarm over student safety in P.E.I. schools
