He's the student that fell through the cracks -- a seven-year-old boy so severely bullied by classmates that he was not only sent to hospital twice, but grew to fear the one place that should have provided a safe, enriching environment -- his own school.

So how did it happen? Why did things progress to the point where the young boy we've been focusing on this week developed a fearful aversion to the playgrounds that should have been safe havens of youthful joy, but instead became dark, and inconceivably cruel?

Educators and experts alike are having an admittedly difficult time answering that question. They recognize the staggering effects of bullying, but admit it's difficult to stamp out.

"Some children are truly not safe at school, and until there's a broader awareness, we're just not going to address it," said Debra Peplar, Psychology Professor at York University.

Most schools have anti-bullying programs in place, including the one the 7-year-old boy attended.

But Stu Auty of the Canadian Safe Schools Network believes they are ineffectual.

"Having an anti-bullying program in place is not going to solve the problem," he contends. "It's whether or not you have the focus of that school. It's whether or not you have the interest and the consistency and application of consequences, appropriate consequences."

The issue of supervision is one of paramount importance. In a typical playground there might be only three or four teachers on duty to watch up to 400 children.

"I would say there's probably not enough supervision in any school," remarked a frank Sheila Cary-Mengher, a T.D.S.B. Trustee.

"We don't have the eyes and ears we used to have."

"It's not a bad idea that on a regular basis the school system gets held up to very rigorous scrutiny and that parents be encouraged to be advocates for their children in the strongest possible way," she adds.

"What we're trying to do is to raise wonderful citizens, happy people, and when we screw up, what else would you say but I screwed up and I'm sorry."

Not as sorry, however, as the unfortunate ones who fall through the cracks of an imperfect system.

The Toronto District School Board has a zero tolerance policy for bullying in place. The Board says it:

• won't tolerate on Board property, on school contracted transportation, or at Board sponsored events violence of any kind; the possession or presence of weapons; harmful, threatening or actual acts of violence or other unlawful acts; verbal abuse in any form;

• won't allow the presence of any intruder or any activity which places the safety of students, staff or visitors at risk;

• sanction the possession of, use of, or trafficking in alcohol, illegal drugs or unauthorized prescription drugs;

• will ensure that school officials and staff respond appropriately, without delay and in a consistent fashion when violent incidents threaten the safety and security and the well-being of students, staff and the larger community;

• will ensure that there are serious consequences to any student who commits a violent act, up to and including expulsions.

• acknowledges its responsibility to educate all students, including those who commit violent acts, and to provide them with opportunities to attend programs and access services to help them.