Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 18 May 1999

Vol. 504 No. 7

Written Answers. - Bullying of Teachers.

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

333 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department has a policy in place to deal with the problem of bullying of teachers by other staff and pupils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12569/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

The Health and Safety Authority is the body with national responsibility for health and safety matters. At the beginning of 1996, the authority issued a report of the advisory committee on occupational safety and health at first and second level schools. This advisory committee included representatives of the partners in education, my Department and other interests. While this report did not identify bullying of teachers as a widespread issue, I am very concerned by recent reports of bullying and other threats to the health and safety of teachers. Teachers like other employees are entitled to feel safe and protected from all forms of bullying and intimidation in their working environment.

Under the health and safety legislation, school managerial authorities in their role as employers are responsible for ensuring the safety and health of their employees. This duty requires the drawing up a safety statement for the school in consultation with those at risk. The statement should identify potential hazards and assess the risks to health and safety.

Bullying should be considered as a potential hazard and assessed accordingly. Where there is a risk to health and safety from bullying, school based measures should be devised to prevent and deal with such behaviour and create awareness within the school that bullying behaviour is unacceptable.

We know that bullying thrives in an atmosphere of uncertainty and secrecy in which the victim often feels a sense of hopelessness and futility against the power exercised by the bully. A high degree of collective vigilance is needed throughout the school community if bullying behaviour is to be identified and firmly dealt with.

My Department has recently completed consultations with teacher unions and management bodies concerning guidelines for second level schools on the issue of violence in schools. The guidelines outline the duty of school management authorities to provide a safe environment for employees and other persons present in the school and the measures to be taken to prevent or minimise the risk of assaults to teachers and other school staff. The guidelines also give guidance regarding the measures to be taken in support of staff who have been assaulted or threatened with assault. The guidelines emphasise the importance of developing a fair and efficient code of behaviour in schools to assist in the promotion of good relations between teachers, pupils and parents. Arrangements are now being made for the issue of the guidelines to all second level schools. Similar guidelines have already issued to primary schools.

I am open to submissions from teacher and other school staff interests on the specific issue of bullying of teachers and if there is a need to address the issue further in the form of guidance to school management, I will do so in consultation with the partners and the Health and Safety Authority.