In a memberSA国际影视传媒檚 statement, Ailivik MLA Solomon Malliki called attention to bullying and violence in schools.

SA国际影视传媒淚t is very upsetting when a parent contacts you with a photo of their 12- year-old student who has been so badly beaten by a fellow student they have to be medevaced out of the community,SA国际影视传媒� he said Monday, Oct. 23.

SA国际影视传媒淚t is sad to hear that parents arenSA国际影视传媒檛 sending their kids to school because they are worried for their safety. It is even sadder to hear that our youth are scared to go to school because of the violence they see around them, fearing that it might affect them. Mr. Speaker, our children are losing opportunities to receive their education because of the bullying and violence in our schools.SA国际影视传媒�

He went on to say he recognizes the Department of Education has started to collect data on the number of violent incidents reported in schools but called it a slow start that does nothing to reassure students and parents that steps will be taken to prevent bullying and violence or hold bullies accountable.

SA国际影视传媒淚t seems every week there are fights at the local high school,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淔or the sake of our childrenSA国际影视传媒檚 health, safety, and mental wellness, this situation must not continue. For the sake of their education and their future, it cannot continue. I call on the government to address this serious issue immediately.SA国际影视传媒�

During question period, Malliki asked education minister Pamela Gross if she is aware of SA国际影视传媒渋ncidents of violence in our schools where young victims are being medevaced out of the community.SA国际影视传媒� He asked how these situations are addressed by her department staff.

In response, Gross said through interpretation that she had been away on leave due to the birth of her daughter and Minister David Joanasie was acting on her behalf.

SA国际影视传媒淚 do know that a letter was sent to the Department of Education in regard to bullying in schools,SA国际影视传媒� she said through interpretation. SA国际影视传媒淢r. Speaker, the situation was looked into and the department has written a letter back to the member on October 12 about that instance he is referring to. Yes, we are aware of the situation of bullying in the schools, and I thank the member for bringing forward his concerns. Whenever there are issues in our communities, we do hear from the member and from his constituents as well.SA国际影视传媒�

Malliki responded through interpretation that she didnSA国际影视传媒檛 answer how such situations are addressed.

SA国际影视传媒淚 understand that the department has a new school violence tracking system,SA国际影视传媒� said Malliki. SA国际影视传媒淐an the minister describe how this system works and how it is used to directly address the increasing level of violence and bullying in our schools?SA国际影视传媒�

Gross responded through interpretation that violence in school is a top priority.

SA国际影视传媒淚n October 2022, last year, Mr. Speaker, we had a new anti-violence reporting tracking system and that was established through the Nunavut TeachersSA国际影视传媒� Association under the Safe Schools Anti-Violence Committee, and with that we have this new mechanism for reporting any incidents to this tracking system,SA国际影视传媒� said Gross through interpretation. SA国际影视传媒淭he reporting of incidents includes violence and harassment. It is also a way for us to use as preventative measures so that we can work on corrective and preventative actions to take if there are similar incidents that occur in the future.SA国际影视传媒�

She went on to say she never wants to see incidents of violence in Nunavut schools, but this is a tool to track then and launch resources into communities where necessary.

Again, Malliki did not think his question was answered.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 not getting any answers,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淢r. Speaker, as I noted in my memberSA国际影视传媒檚 statement, parents in my constituency donSA国际影视传媒檛 want to send their children to school out of fear for their safety. Students in my constituency are afraid to go to school due to bullying and violence. Will the minister commit to provide additional security measures for the schools in my constituency so that our children can continue to receive their education in a safe environment?SA国际影视传媒�

Gross responded through interpretation that SA国际影视传媒渁ll of our schools do have updated security camerasSA国际影视传媒� that can be reviewed following incidents.

SA国际影视传媒淎s far as extra security measures, I can talk to the member about what heSA国际影视传媒檚 referring to, and if he has any suggestions for extra security, Mr. Speaker, ISA国际影视传媒檇 be pleased to hear what his suggestions are from his constituents, and the Department of Education will look into his request,SA国际影视传媒� she said through interpretation.