Montreal, March 17, 2025 — The English Parents’ Committee Association of Quebec (EPCA) is proud to support the first-ever School Violence and Bullying Prevention Week, taking place from March 17 to 21, 2025. Ensuring a safe and respectful learning environment has been a longstanding priority for EPCA, and we recognize the importance of collective efforts to combat violence and intimidation in schools.
“As parents, we must take an active role in fostering a culture of respect and inclusion within our schools and communities. This week provides an opportunity for meaningful conversations with our children about kindness, empathy, and standing up against bullying,” said Katherine Korakakis, President of EPCA. “We encourage parents to explore the resources available and to engage in discussions that promote positive behaviours both in and out of school.”
Recent findings from the national student ombudsman’s first annual report highlight the ongoing challenge of school violence, with over 20% of complaints relating to violence or intimidation. While this awareness week alone will not solve the problem, it marks an important step in strengthening existing initiatives and reinforcing the message that violence of any kind has no place in our schools.
EPCA welcomes the implementation of new protective measures, including the obligation for school boards to adopt a code of ethics, enhanced screening for individuals working with students, and the introduction of a standardized anti-bullying and violence prevention plan. It is crucial that parents and all stakeholders in the education system are informed and involved in these measures to ensure their effective implementation.
This inaugural prevention week also serves as a timely moment to assess the effectiveness of the 2023-2028 school violence and bullying prevention plan and determine whether further adjustments or improvements are necessary to protect students adequately.
EPCA is will be hosting a workshop for parents on Bullying on March 31st 7pm.
For more information, https://jlive.app/events/10792
About EPCA Quebec: The English Parents’ Committee Association (EPCA) is a provincial organization representing parents' committees from English school boards across Quebec. EPCA advocates for the interests of parents and students, ensuring their voices are heard in matters of education policy and school governance.