Schools in Guam say there has been a massive decline in the number of reported bullying cases in the past four years.

They say the number of cases reported has dropped by more than 80 per cent since 2010, from 930 to about 160 cases, after the introduction of student-led anti-bullying programs.

Ordot Chalan Pago Elementary School principal Dr Rebecca Perez says the most effective measure has been the Class Council program, which involves weekly meetings directed by students.

"The teacher can lead it but then he or she acts just as a facilitator, it's more the students talking about the concerns that they may have and again their input is also included when it comes to suggesting what they would like to talk about," she told Pacific Beat.

"It's getting our kids to take ownership over the problems they have with other students. Instead of the adults taking ownership of trying to give them solutions to the problem we have kids try to find ways to resolve their issues with each other by coming up with the solution."

Students are taught to use "I Messages" to express their feelings, and encouraged to communicate openly.

"They are taught to say to the person that hurt them 'I feel sad when you hurt me', or 'I feel sad when you say the mean things to me and I'd like you to apologise," Dr Perez said.

Other programs introduced include a positive behaviour intervention system, through which parents are involved in a dialogue with teachers and students about ongoing behaviour problems.

"We have intervention systems in place so when we know that we have students that consistently display behaviours that are not are inappropriate we then make sure we touch base with parents and have meetings with them, we try to come up with solutions and interventions for the students," Dr Perez said.

The extremely high rates of bullying in public schools four years ago motivated local education officials to adopt a range of bullying solutions.

Deputy Superintendent of Guam's Department of Education, Robb Malay, says while the numbers are very encouraging, schools cannot become complacent.

"I think we need to forge ahead with what's been working and just continue to get better at what we're doing and continue to get the message out to everyone, all of our stakeholders whether it be the students, the teachers, the parents, school leaders, that this is not acceptable, we're not going to tolerate it and make sure everybody is on the same page so that when kids come to school they come to school in an environment where they're not fearful and they're ready to learn," Mr Malay said.