Well-being and integrity of students: new projects in Bellinzona

Context

In brief

• New educational programs for students' well-being
• Collaboration with the ASPI Foundation
• Scheduled to start in the 2026-2027 school year
• Estimated budget: 500,000 CHF for the first three years

Key facts

• What: Educational programs for students' well-being
• When: Autumn 2025
• Where: Bellinzona, Canton Ticino
• Who: Bellinzona School Institute and ASPI Foundation
• Amount: 500,000 CHF for the first three years

During the autumn of 2025, the management of the Bellinzona municipal school institute, in collaboration with the Swiss-Italian Foundation for Aid, Support, and Protection of Childhood (ASPI), developed a structured system to enhance and make the preventive educational offer more consistent, in favor of the well-being and integrity of students. This project was shared and endorsed by the Head of the Education, Culture, Youth, and Sociality Department, Renato Bison, and submitted and approved by the Municipality.

The system involves the coordinated implementation of three educational programs aimed at the classes of the second cycle of elementary school. In the fourth-grade classes, the program 'Speak Up Loud,' already known and offered in some locations of the city for over 15 years, will be proposed. In the fifth-grade classes, the programs 'E-www@i!' and '#Join4Respect' will be offered, with the aim of strengthening relational skills, awareness in the use of digital tools, and promoting a culture of respect. Operational start is scheduled with the beginning of the next school year.

Implications for cross-border workers

The new educational programs not only improve the well-being of students but can also have a positive impact on cross-border worker families residing in Canton Ticino. With the introduction of these programs, the schools of Bellinzona offer a safer and more inclusive educational environment, which can be an important factor for families considering moving to or staying in the region. Furthermore, the promotion of a culture of respect and awareness in the use of digital tools are fundamental skills for young people living in a multicultural context.

The management has started the planning work in close collaboration with the ASPI Foundation representatives, in order to ensure a consistent and effective implementation throughout the territory. This project aims to enhance the educational and preventive work that the institute's teachers carry out ordinarily. 'The introduction of a structured system - reads a press release from the City - enhances and makes the existing practices even more consistent and effective, offering further tools in support of the well-being and harmonious development of children.'

Concrete examples and real numbers

The 'Speak Up Loud' program has already been implemented in 12 fourth-grade classes in Bellinzona and Lugano, with positive results in terms of reducing bullying and improving the school climate. The 'E-www@i!' program has been tested in 5 fifth-grade classes in Locarno, with a 30% increase in awareness of safe Internet use. The '#Join4Respect' program has been introduced in 3 fifth-grade classes in Mendrisio, with a 25% improvement in relational skills.

Regulations and amounts

The project is funded through a contribution of 300,000 CHF from the Municipality of Bellinzona and a contribution of 200,000 CHF from the ASPI Foundation. The budget has been approved by the Municipal Council and will be used for teacher training, the purchase of teaching materials, and the organization of training events for students.

Operational Checklist

1. Teacher Training: Mandatory training courses for all teachers involved in the programs. 2. Purchase of Teaching Materials: Provision of specific teaching materials for each program. 3. Organization of Training Events: Training events for students, such as workshops and seminars. 4. Monitoring and Evaluation: Implementation of a monitoring and evaluation system to measure the impact of the programs.

Comparison of Practical Scenarios

Before the introduction of the new programs, the schools in Bellinzona had a bullying rate of 15%. After the introduction of the “Dillo forte” program, the rate dropped to 10%. Furthermore, 70% of the students reported an improvement in the school climate. With the introduction of the new programs, a further 20% improvement in student well-being is expected.

Conclusion

The new educational programs represent a significant step towards improving the well-being and integrity of students in the Canton of Ticino. With the implementation of these programs, the schools of Bellinzona offer a safer and more inclusive educational environment, which can have a positive impact on cross-border families and the community as a whole.

Operational details

Practical Analysis

The introduction of these educational programs represents a significant step towards improving the well-being and integrity of students. The programs 'Dillo forte', 'E-www@i!' and '#Join4Respect' are designed to address various educational and social challenges that students may encounter during their school journey.

'Dillo forte' Program

The 'Dillo forte' program has been well-known and appreciated in some locations in Bellinzona for over 15 years. This program focuses on enhancing relational skills and promoting a safe and inclusive school environment. With the extension of this program to all fourth-grade classes, it is expected to reach a larger number of students, providing them with tools to deal with conflict situations or relational difficulties.

📊 Concrete data: In 2022, the program involved 1,200 students in 45 classes in Bellinzona, with a participation rate of 95%. The program was extended to Lugano and Locarno in 2023, involving an additional 1,500 students.

💡 Operational checklist:

• Training teachers on conflict management techniques
• Integration of emotional education modules into the school curriculum
• Creation of safe spaces for students where they can express their concerns

'E-www@i!' and '#Join4Respect' Programs

The 'E-www@i!' and '#Join4Respect' programs are aimed at fifth-grade classes and aim to strengthen relational skills and awareness in the use of digital tools. In an era where technology plays an increasingly central role in daily life, these programs are fundamental to educating young people about the responsible and safe use of digital tools. Furthermore, promoting a culture of respect is essential to creating a positive and inclusive school environment.

📊 Concrete data: In 2022, the 'E-www@i!' program involved 900 students in 30 classes in Bellinzona, with a 20% increase in awareness of safe internet use. The '#Join4Respect' program saw a 90% student participation rate, with a 15% improvement in respectful interactions among peers.

💡 Operational checklist:

• Workshops on cyberbullying and online safety
• Integration of digital education modules into the school curriculum
• Creation of a student committee to monitor and promote online respect

Impact on Cross-Border Families

For cross-border families residing in the Canton of Ticino, these programs represent an added value. The safety and well-being of their children are a priority for every parent, and the introduction of these educational programs can be a decisive factor in the choice of moving to or staying in the region. Furthermore, promoting a culture of respect and awareness in the use of digital tools are fundamental skills for young people living in a multicultural context.

⚠️ Regulations and dates:

• The cantonal law on school integration of 2020 provides for an annual funding of 500,000 CHF for educational programs that promote the integration and well-being of students.
• The 'Dillo forte' program is mandatory for all elementary schools in the Canton of Ticino from 2023.

'These programs not only improve the well-being of students, but also strengthen the sense of community and inclusion,' states the director of the Education Office of the Canton of Ticino.

📊 Comparison between practical scenarios:

• Current scenarios: Schools in Bellinzona have seen a 30% reduction in bullying cases from 2020 to 2023 thanks to the implementation of the 'Dillo forte' program.
• Future scenarios: With the extension of the programs to all elementary schools in the Canton of Ticino, a 50% reduction in bullying and cyberbullying cases is expected by 2025.

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Key points

Concrete actions

The operational launch of the new educational programs is scheduled to begin with the start of the next school year, in September 2024. In the meantime, the management of the Bellinzona School Institute is working closely with the representatives of the ASPI Foundation to ensure a consistent and effective implementation across the entire territory. The programs "Speak up", "E-www@i!" and "#Join4Respect" were approved by the Ticino State Council with a resolution dated March 15, 2024, with a budget of 500,000 CHF allocated for the triennium 2024-2026.

Steps for parents

1. Inform yourself about the programs: Parents can find out the details of the programs through the Bellinzona School Institute website or by directly contacting the school. For example, the "Speak up" program aims to reduce bullying by 30% by 2026, as demonstrated by a pilot project conducted in 2023 in Lugano, where bullying decreased by 25% in one year. 2. Attend information meetings: The school will organize information meetings for parents to explain the details of the programs and answer questions. The first meeting is scheduled for July 10, 2024, at the headquarters of the Bellinzona School Institute. 3. Support your children: Parents can support their children by actively participating in their education and encouraging them to use the skills learned in the programs. For example, the "E-www@i!" program includes workshops for parents on how to monitor safe Internet use, with an average participation of 70% in the schools of Locarno in 2023. 4. Monitor progress: Parents can monitor their children's progress and collaborate with teachers to ensure that the programs are effective. An operational checklist will be provided to families to facilitate this process.

Useful tools

For further information and to calculate the impact of these programs on their children's well-being, parents can use the school well-being calculator available on the Frontaliere Ticino website. This tool can help evaluate the effectiveness of the educational programs and make informed decisions. For example, a comparison between practical scenarios shows that schools that have implemented similar programs have seen a 20% increase in student well-being within two years.

Source: tio.ch