PEI Schools: Bullying Crisis, Absenteeism Soars

0:00Bullying in Prince Edward Island schools is hitting hard, forcing kids to skip class just to stay safe. Provin's data from Fall 2025 shows nearly 20% of students, about 4,096 kids, chronically absent, missing. 20 or more days. A recent survey of grades 7-12 found 29% bullied in the past 30 days, way above the national average of 19%. Parents, like the Calahans, are living it daily, with their 16-year-old son Cecil ditching 1-3 days a week because the harassment won't stop. Another dad, Alex Butler, says his 9-year-old daughter has missed over 40 days this year alone, sparked by a brutal video that went viral on. Tiktok showing her, getting yanked, kicked, and shoved. At a weekend anti-bullying event during child abuse prevention month, families vented about endless bullying and weak school responses, calling it a, safety crisis. Education Minister Robin Croucher showed up, emitting its atop daily priority, and no surprise given how often it comes up.

1:05The public school's branch is rolling out attendance campaigns, mental health programs, and a positive behavior framework with extra support teachers. To build better school vibes. Meanwhile, in the legislature, a motion to start tracking bullying specific absences got shot down by the minister. Efforts keep grinding forward though, with opposition leaders bowing to push for that data and real fixes, aiming to get kids back in class feeling. Secure. Local news, powered by AI. This is Canada News Today. I'm Corey with The Story.