Under newly-introduced provincial legislation anyone working in Nova Scotia schools will be required to report incidents of bullying.

Education Min. Ramona Jennex introduced the bill in the provincial legislature yesterday, calling on everyone from teachers to custodians to bus drivers to act if they encounter bullying.

“We’re just making sure that the reporting is a school-based reporting system now,” said Jennex. “That would be custodial staff, school bus drivers and people in the cafeteria. All now, will have the responsibility of reporting extremely disruptive behaviour.”

Jennex said bus drivers and many other contract staff already have a reporting system in place, but the legislation ensures that no staff member is outside the system.

The president of the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union said some of the 1,500 support staff she represents could feel intimidated by students not to report instances.

“Depending on what age and what schools they work at,” said Joan Jessome. “But overall we’ve heard loud and clear from our members, whether they work in the school system or not, that something has to be done.”

The bill will also come with training.

Jessome said her members will comply, if they feel supported by their employers.

Progressive Conservative leader Jamie Baillie and Liberal education critic Karen Casey agree the bill does little to alter the behaviour of bullies.