Update: School Bullying – Education 8th October, 2014

Uimhir:176

Ceist Pharlaiminte

Chun an Aire Oideachais agus Eolaíoctha
To the Minister for Education and Science

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the issue of
school bullying during and after school hours continues to be monitored by her
Department with particular reference to early identification and assistance;
and if she will make a statement on the matter.
– Bernard J. Durkan.

* For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 8th October, 2014.
Reference Number: 38448/14

Freagra

Minister Jan O’Sullivan

There is no requirement on schools to report bullying incidents to my
Department.

The School Principal under the anti-bullying procedures for all schools is
required to report regularly to the Board of Management on the overall number
of bullying cases and provide confirmation that these are being dealt with in
accordance with the procedures.

The Board is required to undertake an annual review and publish the schools
anti-bullying policy on their website.

Arising from commitments made in the Action Plan on Bullying, my Department’s
Inspectorate is placing a stronger focus on the actions schools take to create
a positive school culture and to prevent and tackle bullying. For example,
parent and student questionnaires issued as part of whole school evaluations,
include, since January 2014, additional questions to get a clearer picture of
how the school deals with bullying. Furthermore, the Inspectorate’s plan for
the current school year provides for a focussed evaluation to be conducted in a
sample of schools to examine the school’s work to create and sustain safe and
healthy environments.

This work will give a better overview on how well the procedures are being
implemented at school level.

This is also an issue that will need to be considered in the context of
developing a Parent and Students Charter that each school will be obliged to
have. An important aspect of the Charter will be how parents receive
information and feedback on the operation of school policies and how parents
concerns are addressed.