South Australian schools fail anti-bullying policy test, prompting an overhaul

BULLYING is parents’ biggest concern about SA’s education system. Now those fears could worsen with revelations that many schools don’t have adequate anti-bully policies.

• Huge support for tougher anti-bullying laws
• Mum’s tribute to 13-year-old daughter that took her own life
• Worst bullies could be forced to move schools
• Uni college halts ‘ponding’ as police probe hazing

PROCEDURES to handle bullying in South Australia’s education system are set for an overhaul as a new audit reveals almost one in 10 public schools do not have an adequate policy to deal with the issue.

Results of the audit, obtained by The Advertiser, come as new statistics show bullying continues to be parents’ greatest gripe with the education system.

The Education Department audit of school anti-bullying policies, ordered by the new Education Minister John Gardner, has found 12 per cent of schools either didn’t meet basic expectations or didn’t have an anti-bullying policy at all.

Mr Gardner told The Advertiser the government – which had promised the audit from Opposition – is committed to ensuring all schools had strictly enforced policies that addressesd all forms of bullying.

“The Department is now establishing an overarching anti-bullying strategy and will ensure that all schools have an anti-bullying policy in place that meets basic expectations by the end of the year,” Mr Gardner said.

Mr Gardner’s call comes as new data from the Department shows bullying and harassment of students was complained about more than any other issue including enrolment, behaviour management and staff performance.

Last year there were about 236 complaints — the equivalent of one for each day the public school system was open.

Mr Gardner said the department will be using audit findings to ensure that schools are provided with the resources they need to keep children and young people safe from bullying, including:

GUIDANCE on developing anti-bullying policies

TRAINING staff, students and parents to identify and respond to bullying

ADVICE on recognising the signs of bullying

COMMUNICATING anti-bullying policies to the school community

“We remain committed to ensuring evidence-based, comprehensive anti-bullying resources are available for schools, as well as providing training and support services to our students and teachers,” Mr Gardner said.

Commissioner for Children and Young People, Helen Connolly told The Advertiser she was developing new “tool boxes” for young South Australians to deal with bullying.

Ms Connolly said addressing the issue was one of her key priorities for 2018 after talking to more than 300 school students.

“I have spoken to kids in the Catholic, Independent and Public school system and I can see no noticeable difference in the types and levels of bullying between the sectors,” Ms Connolly said.

Ms Connolly said despite common assumptions that bullying was more prevalent online, that was not what kids were telling her.

“It is face-to-face — the most common thing is the persistent everyday, low level bullying – based on difference generally.

“The kids are also telling me that it is not just a peer-to-peer school thing, it is a whole of community issue.

“It is also happening between adults and kids and in workplaces.”

For help, call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.