Written Answers. - School Pupils Code of Conduct.
Patrick McCartan
Question:
25
Mr. McCartan
asked the
Minister for Education
if he will issue a statement to schools on the subject of bullying; and whether teachers have been trained to recognise, prevent and deal with instances of bullying in schools.
Charles Flanagan
Question:
65
Mr. Flanagan
asked the
Minister for Education
the action, if any, he proposes to take to introduce regulations in the form of a code of conduct for school pupils in an effort to stamp out acts of bullying in schools.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 65 together.
In the pre-service training of teachers, the subject of bullying and how to deal with it is addressed as part of the primary teacher training course and in the courses leading to the Higher Diploma in Education.
My Department issued a circular to the authorities of primary and post-primary schools containingGuidelines Towards a Positive Policy for School Behaviour and Discipline for Primary and 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.
My Department is anxious to ensure that school management authorities take positive action 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.
The Child Abuse Prevention Programme, devised by the Eastern Health Board, and being implemented jointly between my Department and the Department of Health is specifically designed for use in primary schools and covers all forms of child abuse with particular attention to bullying.
Its aim is to prevent child abuse by equipping parents and teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary to protect the children in their care. Children are taught safety skills in the normal classroom context and these skills are reinforced through discussion with their parents.
The programme was introduced in all schools in the Eastern Health Board last year with the support of my Department. This year, I sanctioned the secondment of ten teachers to allow for the implementation of the programme on a nationwide basis.
I am satisfied that this programme will prove very beneficial to teachers in this difficult area.
In addition, I will be reminding school management authorities that they must take effective action on a school by school basis.
