Education | Local schools implement measures to stop harassment

Several local schools are creating guidelines on how to handle sexual harassment cases, after the issue entered public debate recently, following complaints filed by at least four University of Macau (UM) students.
UM revealed recently that it is planning to establish an Equal Opportunities Commission in the near future to handle harassment cases. The University of Saint Joseph has followed suit and published regulations on how to handle cases of harassment or discrimination. According to the rules, a special committee will be set up to analyze allegations.
The Education and Youth Affairs Bureau (DSEJ) has also said that the content of the sexual education program has been undergoing adjustments over the past few years.
“We have added more elements regarding Internet traps into sexual education in recent years,” said Leong Vai Kei, head of DSEJ’s Education Department, as cited by TDM. She added that student counselors have focused their work on preventing harassment cases from eventuating, and kindergartens have already included the issue in their curriculums. Leong Vai Kei also said that parents of minors should be vigilant when their sons or daughters are absent for a long time.
Saint Paul’s School principal, Alejandro Salcedo, argued that the preventative measures should start with recruitment and stricter rules for employing teachers and staff.