Vol. 419 No. 7
57 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Education if he will outline the consideration he is giving to the problem of bullying in schools; if he has received any representations about the matter; whether he intends to facilitate parents or pupils who wish to complain about school-yard bullying; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
My Department issued a circular to the authorities of primary and post-primary schools containing "Guidelines Towards a Positive Policy for School Behaviour and Discipline" together with "A Suggested Code of Behaviour and Discipline for Post-Primary schools".
School authorities were reminded in that circular that the managerial authority of each school is responsible for ensuring that a fair and effective code of behaviour, encompassing rules, sanctions and procedures, is drawn up and applied in the school.
It is a matter for school management to ensure that the behaviour of pupils in their care is monitored and they should be sensitive to any incidents of bullying.
Parents should make known to school management the existence of cases of bullying so that the school management can investigate them and take the necessary steps to eradicate them or apply sanctions to the culprits.
My Department is anxious to ensure that school management authorities fully accept their responsibilities in this area and will bring to the attention of the relevant school management authority any complaint received with a view to having appropriate action taken by the school management to deal with the matter.
