Anti-Bullying legislation starts passage through the Assembly

Education Minister John O’Dowd today introduced the Addressing Bullying in Schools Bill to the Assembly.

The legislation will provide a legal definition of bullying; introduce a requirement for schools to record all incidents of bullying; and require Boards of Governors to take direct responsibility for developing and monitoring the effectiveness of Anti-Bullying policy and practice within schools.

Education Minister John O’Dowd is hopeful the Bill will become law within this Assembly mandate.

Speaking as he introduced the Bill, Minister O’Dowd said:

“I am delighted that this Bill is now on the way to becoming law early next year. Addressing bullying in schools is an issue which has always attracted widespread interest and support from MLAs across all parties; and I know many of my colleagues, in particular those on the Education Committee, are as pleased as I am to see this Bill come to the floor of the Assembly today.

“Although bullying is a commonly understood concept, having a clear common definition will help schools, parents and pupils to recognise when bullying is occurring and will support more consistent practice across all of our schools. The recording of incidents will help schools to monitor the scale of the problem and how effective they are in addressing incidents. Placing a duty on Boards of Governors will increase their focus on the issue and encourage the use of best practice within each school.

“Young people are working hard at school to achieve their best and it is absolutely wrong when their efforts are undermined by bullying in any of its forms. Over 4,200 young people chose to share their views on bullying as part of the public consultation on this issue earlier this year. I hope that as the Bill makes its passage through the Assembly, I and my Assembly colleagues can demonstrate we have heard what they said and we agree with their unequivocal view that addressing bullying in schools must be a priority.”

The Department of Education received 4,860 responses to its consultation on the new legislative proposals earlier this year; 4,221 of these came directly from pupils and young people.

Notes to editors: 

1. The second stage is due to take place on 8 December 2015.

2. The Department of Education’s ‘Education Works’ campaign promotes the value of education. This year’s campaign aims to ensure that parents have information on schooling and that they are aware of the steps they can take to ‘Get Involved’ and support their teenager in achieving good outcomes at school. Watch out for the ads on television, radio and outdoor locations. The campaign highlights the vital role families can play in helping children do well at school and improve their life chances. Visit nidirect - Education Works for more information or watch the TV ad on the Department’s YouTube channel.

3. See photos from the Department of Education in our Flickr collection.

4. Media enquiries to the Department of Education Press Office Tel: 028 9127 9207. Out of office hours, contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 99 715 440, and your call will be returned.

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