Released 19/09/2019
The Standing Committee on Education, Employment and Youth Affairs today released its report on its Inquiry into the management and minimisation of bullying and violence in ACT schools.
The committee found that incidents of bullying, cyber bullying and violence in ACT schools are not frequent. Regardless, every incident is of concern to the government and is treated seriously.
I thank the Standing Committee for their considered work in conducting this sensitive inquiry.
Every student and school worker is entitled to be safe and the government’s commitment to safe and supportive schools is clear. There is no place for bullying or violence in ACT schools and I am reassured to have the Committee’s confirmation that this is not a systemic problem in our schools.
The report confirms that ‘schools experience the same challenges as other parts of society in relation to bullying and violence’. Schools are also not isolated from social issues like bullying or violence faced in the wider community and everyone, particularly community leaders, have a responsibility to change our culture for the better.
Any instance of bullying or violence in a school is unwelcome. It is vital bullying and violence in schools is minimised to the extent possible and that these issues are properly dealt with when they arise.
Every child is welcome in government schools and because of this there will always be need for deliberate effort to make school communities safe, supportive and inclusive. The report acknowledges the significant work of the government in pursuing positive, health school communities.
I am grateful for the Standing Committee’s observations about areas where the government needs to improve on the sound foundation that already exists.
This report, alongside the report of the school education advisory committee that I established to consider related issues, provides useful guidance on opportunities to strengthen the government’s response to this issue.
The government is already pursing initiatives aligned with a number of the Standing Committee’s recommendations and I welcome the Committee’s endorsement of the government’s work.
I would also like to thank the students, teachers and school staff, and parents and carers who participated in the inquiry, particularly those people who recounted their experiences. It is a dreadful thing to experience bullying or violence in any context and I am sorry that some people have faced it in ACT schools.
The government will consider and formally respond to the Standing Committee report consistent with the timeframes provided by ACT Legislative Assembly standing orders.
I have also received the school education advisory committee’s report, which it is currently being considered by the government, and expect to release it along with a government response in the coming weeks.
- Statement ends -
Yvette Berry, MLA | Media Releases
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