07/11/2024
Alliance Calls For More To Be Done On School Bullying
The Alliance Party has called for more to be done to support schools and young people in dealing with bullying incidents.
Making the call ahead of Anti-Bullying Week, Lagan Valley MLA and Alliance Education Spokesperson, Michelle Guy, said: "Bullying can be an incredibly devastating experience to go through. It shatters self-confidence, stifles potential and causes serious, long-term effects on a young person's mental, physical and emotional wellbeing.
"While we have the Addressing Bullying in Schools Act (NI) 2016, which was a hugely welcome piece of legislation, we need to build on this. "A recent report by the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance said that over two-fifths of ethnic minority students in Northern Ireland have reportedly been the victims of racist bullying and harassment. While the 2017 NI Young Life & Times survey highlighted that 42% of respondents said they had been bullied in school.
"The majority of schools approach bullying incidents with care and understanding, but we must ensure they receive the necessary support, starting with a clear understanding of trends.
"Anti-bullying week gives us an opportunity to talk about what more we can do as policymakers, and I believe the Department of Education needs to create a database of incidents and publish yearly reports.
"The 2016 Act requires schools to record incidents, but currently, there is no way to consolidate this data and publish it in a way that reveals trends that could inform policy and better target interventions. I understand the importance of privacy and the need to avoid identifying individuals, but I believe there are still ways to address these concerns and make this data available."
Making the call ahead of Anti-Bullying Week, Lagan Valley MLA and Alliance Education Spokesperson, Michelle Guy, said: "Bullying can be an incredibly devastating experience to go through. It shatters self-confidence, stifles potential and causes serious, long-term effects on a young person's mental, physical and emotional wellbeing.
"While we have the Addressing Bullying in Schools Act (NI) 2016, which was a hugely welcome piece of legislation, we need to build on this. "A recent report by the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance said that over two-fifths of ethnic minority students in Northern Ireland have reportedly been the victims of racist bullying and harassment. While the 2017 NI Young Life & Times survey highlighted that 42% of respondents said they had been bullied in school.
"The majority of schools approach bullying incidents with care and understanding, but we must ensure they receive the necessary support, starting with a clear understanding of trends.
"Anti-bullying week gives us an opportunity to talk about what more we can do as policymakers, and I believe the Department of Education needs to create a database of incidents and publish yearly reports.
"The 2016 Act requires schools to record incidents, but currently, there is no way to consolidate this data and publish it in a way that reveals trends that could inform policy and better target interventions. I understand the importance of privacy and the need to avoid identifying individuals, but I believe there are still ways to address these concerns and make this data available."
Latest Northern Ireland News
07 November 2024
74-Year-Old Man Dies Following Serious Assault in Antrim
Police have confirmed the tragic death of a 74-year-old man who was the victim of a serious assault on Station Road in Antrim on Saturday, 2nd November. The deceased has been identified as Tony Miskimmon. Detective Inspector Sean Armstrong said: "I would like to offer my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Tony at this very sad time.
74-Year-Old Man Dies Following Serious Assault in Antrim
Police have confirmed the tragic death of a 74-year-old man who was the victim of a serious assault on Station Road in Antrim on Saturday, 2nd November. The deceased has been identified as Tony Miskimmon. Detective Inspector Sean Armstrong said: "I would like to offer my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Tony at this very sad time.
07 November 2024
Alliance Calls For More To Be Done On School Bullying
The Alliance Party has called for more to be done to support schools and young people in dealing with bullying incidents. Making the call ahead of Anti-Bullying Week, Lagan Valley MLA and Alliance Education Spokesperson, Michelle Guy, said: "Bullying can be an incredibly devastating experience to go through.
Alliance Calls For More To Be Done On School Bullying
The Alliance Party has called for more to be done to support schools and young people in dealing with bullying incidents. Making the call ahead of Anti-Bullying Week, Lagan Valley MLA and Alliance Education Spokesperson, Michelle Guy, said: "Bullying can be an incredibly devastating experience to go through.
07 November 2024
New Initiatives To Protect Health Service Over Winter
A series of new initiatives to protect key health and social care services during the winter period, have been announced by Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt.
New Initiatives To Protect Health Service Over Winter
A series of new initiatives to protect key health and social care services during the winter period, have been announced by Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt.
07 November 2024
SDLP Raises Issue Over RTÉ 'Geo-Blocking'
The SDLP has raised the issue of Ireland's national broadcaster RTÉ preventing access to sport for viewers in Northern Ireland. Party leader, Claire Hanna, and Colum Eastwood met with UK Culture, Media and Sport Minister Stephanie Peacock to discuss solutions, such as the possibility of unique IP addresses to get around geo-blocking.
SDLP Raises Issue Over RTÉ 'Geo-Blocking'
The SDLP has raised the issue of Ireland's national broadcaster RTÉ preventing access to sport for viewers in Northern Ireland. Party leader, Claire Hanna, and Colum Eastwood met with UK Culture, Media and Sport Minister Stephanie Peacock to discuss solutions, such as the possibility of unique IP addresses to get around geo-blocking.
07 November 2024
Traffic Warning Issued Ahead Of Larne Vs St Gallen Match
Police have issued a traffic warning ahead of the Europa Conference League match between Larne and St Gallen on Thursday, 7th November. The match, which kicks off at 8pm at the National Stadium, is expected to attract over 5,000 supporters.
Traffic Warning Issued Ahead Of Larne Vs St Gallen Match
Police have issued a traffic warning ahead of the Europa Conference League match between Larne and St Gallen on Thursday, 7th November. The match, which kicks off at 8pm at the National Stadium, is expected to attract over 5,000 supporters.
07 November 2024
Re-Election Of Donald Trump 'Deeply Troubling' – Greens
The Green Party NI has described the re-election of Donald Trump as "deeply troubling". Party leader, Mal O'Hara, said that the chaos and damage of the last Trump presidency to global climate policy, to peace and security, and the marginalised groups across the United States was "evident".
Re-Election Of Donald Trump 'Deeply Troubling' – Greens
The Green Party NI has described the re-election of Donald Trump as "deeply troubling". Party leader, Mal O'Hara, said that the chaos and damage of the last Trump presidency to global climate policy, to peace and security, and the marginalised groups across the United States was "evident".
07 November 2024
NI's Digital Entertainment Scene Is Booming
Something exciting is happening in Northern Ireland's tech world. The digital entertainment sector is experiencing unprecedented growth. New digital entertainment companies are continuously setting up operations, creating numerous new jobs and driving innovation that's turning Northern Ireland into one of the UK's most vibrant digital hubs.
NI's Digital Entertainment Scene Is Booming
Something exciting is happening in Northern Ireland's tech world. The digital entertainment sector is experiencing unprecedented growth. New digital entertainment companies are continuously setting up operations, creating numerous new jobs and driving innovation that's turning Northern Ireland into one of the UK's most vibrant digital hubs.
07 November 2024
Suspected Firearms Seized After Coalisland Shooting
Detectives investigating a shooting incident in the Coalisland area last week have made significant progress in their enquiries. A man in his 40s attended hospital on Wednesday 30th October with a suspected gunshot wound to his arm. Following this incident, police arrested a 34-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman on Tuesday 5th November.
Suspected Firearms Seized After Coalisland Shooting
Detectives investigating a shooting incident in the Coalisland area last week have made significant progress in their enquiries. A man in his 40s attended hospital on Wednesday 30th October with a suspected gunshot wound to his arm. Following this incident, police arrested a 34-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman on Tuesday 5th November.
07 November 2024
West Belfast Man Sentenced For Drug Possession
A west Belfast man has been sentenced to 120 hours of community service at Belfast Crown Court today, Wednesday 6th November. Raymond Donnelly, 44, pleaded guilty to possession of a Class A controlled drug with intent to supply.
West Belfast Man Sentenced For Drug Possession
A west Belfast man has been sentenced to 120 hours of community service at Belfast Crown Court today, Wednesday 6th November. Raymond Donnelly, 44, pleaded guilty to possession of a Class A controlled drug with intent to supply.
07 November 2024
Other News In Brief
SF Urge Communities Minister To Bring Forward The Anti-Poverty Strategy Sinn Féin has called on the Communities Minister to urgently bring forward the Anti-Poverty Strategy.
Other News In Brief
SF Urge Communities Minister To Bring Forward The Anti-Poverty Strategy Sinn Féin has called on the Communities Minister to urgently bring forward the Anti-Poverty Strategy.