Education Committee to examine international evidence and best practice regarding School Bullying and the Impact on Mental Health

Tomorrow’s discussion is the sixth of a series of committee meetings that will see key stakeholders come before the committee through to the end of June.

The experts at tomorrow’s meeting are Dr  Paul Downes, Associate Professor of Psychology, School of Human Development, Dublin City University; Professor Shelley Hymel, Edith Lando Professor in Social and Emotional Learning, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; and Professor Carmel Cefai, Department of Psychology and Director, Centre for Resilience and Socio-Emotional Health, University of Malta.

Speaking in advance of the meeting, Cathaoirleach, Paul Kehoe TD, said: “The Committee continues its important discussion on School Bullying and the Impact on Mental Health. Now our sixth meeting, we look to learn from other countries, is there tried and tested solutions we can use as a foundation for the changes we need to implement. Over the previous weeks, the Committee has had valuable insights into the challenges faced in dealing with bullying and creating positive school cultures. We got to hear from students, School Management and patron Bodies, psychologists and psychotherapists, and bodies that represent Primary and Secondary School Principals and Deputy Principals.”

The Cathaoirleach added, “The Committee welcomes the chance to hear from academic experts, which should provide us with a valuable learning experience regarding international evidence and best practice in other countries, that can influence policy to combat bullying and promote Positive School Cultures.’

The meeting at 3:30 pm will be broadcast from Committee Room 4 of Leinster House.

The Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

You can view the meeting in Committee Room 4 on the Oireachtas website.

More information can be found on the dedicated Committee Webpage. Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.