30/01/2025
MLA Calls For More Action On Bullying Prevention in Schools
Alliance Education spokesperson Michelle Guy MLA has urged the Department of Education to take further steps to support schools in preventing bullying and assisting those affected by it.
Ms Guy's call follows recent reports of a Belfast school's failure to safeguard pupils on a school trip.
"Bullying often has a devastating impact on children, young people and their families," Ms Guy said. "People should never seek to diminish these impacts or explain away bullying incidents, which can have a lasting impact on mental health and self-esteem."
While acknowledging the Addressing Bullying in Schools Act 2016, which mandates anti-bullying policies in schools and the recording of bullying incidents, Ms Guy argued that the Department of Education lacks sufficient data to fully understand the scope of the problem. "The Department of Education has little to no understanding of what is going on when it comes to bullying," she stated. "They don't know if there are any schools that still don't have an anti-bullying policy and they don't know how prevalent bullying is."
Ms Guy suggested that anonymous data collection on bullying incidents would provide valuable insights and enable more targeted support for schools and parents.
"Surely, if the Department is to better support schools and parents, it needs to understand the levels of bullying incidents and the details of the incidents," she said. "This could all be done anonymously but would give information to enable tailored support."
Ms Guy pledged to continue advocating for greater focus on bullying in schools from the Education Minister and the Department, ensuring that schools, parents, and young people receive the necessary support.
Ms Guy's call follows recent reports of a Belfast school's failure to safeguard pupils on a school trip.
"Bullying often has a devastating impact on children, young people and their families," Ms Guy said. "People should never seek to diminish these impacts or explain away bullying incidents, which can have a lasting impact on mental health and self-esteem."
While acknowledging the Addressing Bullying in Schools Act 2016, which mandates anti-bullying policies in schools and the recording of bullying incidents, Ms Guy argued that the Department of Education lacks sufficient data to fully understand the scope of the problem. "The Department of Education has little to no understanding of what is going on when it comes to bullying," she stated. "They don't know if there are any schools that still don't have an anti-bullying policy and they don't know how prevalent bullying is."
Ms Guy suggested that anonymous data collection on bullying incidents would provide valuable insights and enable more targeted support for schools and parents.
"Surely, if the Department is to better support schools and parents, it needs to understand the levels of bullying incidents and the details of the incidents," she said. "This could all be done anonymously but would give information to enable tailored support."
Ms Guy pledged to continue advocating for greater focus on bullying in schools from the Education Minister and the Department, ensuring that schools, parents, and young people receive the necessary support.
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