One program which specifies strategies for anti-bullying in schools is Norway’s Olweus Programme which was developed by Dan Olweus. This program focuses on adult engagement with the teachers taking charge of the strategy. The program strategies are designed to be used at the school-level, classroom-level and individual level. The Olweus program puts emphasis on the adult’s role in maintaining a safe and positive environment in school, as well as at home. Unacceptable behaviors are identified. The program suggests that non-physical and non-hostile sanctions should be done when the rules are not followed.
Aside from anti-bullying, there is also a growing concern over the safety and security of students and school staff at schools and universities. This paved the way for the availment of the services of a school resource officer (SRO) among learning institutions. A school resource officer is a “sworn police officer assigned to a school or group of schools during the school year” to promote a safe learning environment. The main purpose of the SRO program is to prevent and reduce negative school behaviors and school violence. The SRO Program is a partnership between the law enforcement agencies and the school districts which is formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU specifies the type of partnership that the SRO and the school will implement. The first type is for SROs to be visible in schools through formal or informal visits or through spontaneous or planned visits. The second type of SRO presence is for the schools to have security guards in the vicinity. The third type is when the SRO is constantly present in the school and is housed on the school grounds.
There are many other strategies that have been proposed to minimize or totally eliminate bullying in schools. In the same manner, the concern for the safety of students and school employees are now being addressed more seriously because of the growing number of violence in schools. But beneath all these strategies and policies, one thing is clear. Teachers, school administrators, law enforcement agencies and parents have major roles to play to ensure the safety of students.
Works Cited
Cray, M., & Weiler, S. C. (2011). Policy to practice: A look at national and state implementation of school resource officer programs. The Clearing House, 164-170.
Stephens, P. (2011). Preventing and confronting school bullying: a comparative study of two national programmes in Norway. British Educational Research Journal, 381-404.
