Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

260. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the training that will be provided to teachers in advance of the requirement to implement new anti-bullying policies in schools. [9059/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Under the terms of Circular 045/2013, issued in September 2013, all Boards of Management were required to immediately commence the necessary arrangements for developing and formally adopting an anti-bullying policy. Such policy must comply with the procedures as set out in my Department's Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools and should be completed by each school as early as possible in the current school year but, in any event, by no later than Easter.

The Well-being team within the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) undertook a design process to produce a range of support materials to assist schools in the policy development process. The support will be made available in two phases.

Phase1: Principal teachers from primary and post-primary schools will attend a 2.5 hr workshop during which the PDST facilitators will mediate the 2013 Anti-Bullying Procedures, review bullying as a behaviour including its characteristics and impact, and provide detailed guidance on the development of an Anti-Bullying Policy within the school. The legal framework will be explored and relevant documents will be referenced. Examples of these include:

- Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools (2013) - Circular 045/2013

- The Department's Template for Anti-Bullying Policy 2013

- Education Act (1998)

- Equal Status Acts, 2000 to 2004

- Education (Welfare) Act, 2000

- NEWB Developing a Code of Behaviour: Guidelines for Schools 2008

- Child Protection Guidelines and Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools, 2011

Key to the success of the school's anti-bullying policy is the creation of a positive school culture and climate. Therefore, in order to ensure that all school personnel would be supported, the PDST team created a webcast platform where the support material can be access by all school personnel. The initial webcast will be broadcast next week for primary schools and for post-primary schools in early March. All support materials are to be made available in both Gaeilge and English.

Phase 2: During Autumn 2014 the PDST will provide a one-day seminar for principals where the focus will be on prevention and intervention strategies at whole-school level.

The support provided by the PDST will help ensure schools meet their obligations under the new procedures, in particular, the promotion of the anti-bullying policy among the school community and the measures in place to develop a positive and inclusive climate in the school.