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MPs call for national bullying inquiry

MPs have called for a national inquiry into bullying in schools after

uncovering attacks on special needs children and minority groups.

" The idea that bullying is in some way character building and simply

part of childhood is wrong and should be challenged "

A report by the Commons education and skills committee said that

while awareness and action on bullying has improved over the past

decade there are still areas of concern.

It found examples of good practice but also of schools which do not

tackle bullying in a robust way.

The MPs said there was a dearth of reliable statistics on bullying,

and warn that teachers are not sufficiently trained to tackle the

problem. The committee also heard during its investigation that some

schools were reluctant to record details, in case it gave them a bad

reputation in the eyes of the parents of potential pupils.

There were also claims of an increase in the use of the internet,

email and text-messaging of threats and abuse. A survey by

psychologists has revealed 28 per cent of girls and 10 per cent of

boys had been victims of cyber-bullying.

A separate survey of more than 100 families for the National Autistic

Society Scotland has shown that 38 per cent of autistic children

suffered bullying at school.

Jim Knight, the schools minister admitted to the committee there had

been an increasing number of gang-related incidents of bullying -

particularly in inner-city schools. Following the recent wave of

shootings and stabbings involving teenagers, the minister warned of a

growing trend of gangs delivering threats through younger siblings,

even of primary school age.

The full extent of bullying was also highlighted by Professor Sir Al

Aynsley-Green, the Children's Commissioner, who revealed children

with special needs have been victims of particularly bad bullying. In

one incident, five college pupils in Dorset were suspended after

bullying an autistic pupil and posting video clips of their taunting

on the internet.

He said: " There are especially appalling stories: children with

Asperger's syndrome and autism who are isolated deliberately. "

Separately, Buckinghamshire County Council revealed 60 pupils had

been barred from school buses and local coach companies were

reluctant to take on contracts.

The council said: " Where incidents have taken place and students

identified, it has been difficult on occasions to enforce the code of

conduct which requires parents to accept full responsibility and pay

any costs for damages. "

The Commons education committee chairman, Barry Sheerman, said

efforts to end bullying had to be stepped up: " The idea that bullying

is in some way character building and simply part of childhood is

wrong and should be challenged. However, without excusing bullying,

we believe that bullying behaviour is influenced by attitudes and

behaviour in society in general. From pupils to ministers, all those

involved in the lives of young people need to give the clear message

that bullying, for whatever reason, is wrong. "

A spokesman for the Department for Education and Skills

said: " Teachers will shortly be given legal powers to discipline as

part of our continued fight against the bullies. "

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