Guest guest Posted March 27, 2007 Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 http://www.careandhealth.com/Pages/Story.aspx?StoryID=b665d713-d8df- 4311-bbee-e96fcfb17193 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. " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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