QAO report: Bullying explodes in Qld schools, 75k-plus cases in just one year

The QAO data recorded within a single year has laid bare the staggering frequency of bullying in Queensland schools with more than 75,000 bullying incidents recorded.

QAO report has recorded over 75,000 bullying incidents across Queensland schools. Picture: Supplied.

More than 75,000 bullying incidents were recorded across Queensland’s schools in a single year a new report has revealed, with cyber-bullying skyrocketing 40 per cent in the last decade.

The Queensland Auditor-General found bullying in the state peaked at Year 7 with nearly 3 out of every 10 students displaying bullying behaviour.

Analysis of department data by Auditor-General Rachel Vagg found there were 7275 cyber-bullying incidents in 2023 — a staggering 41.4 per cent increase compared to a decade ago.

But the true extent of cyber-bullying in schools is unknown as Education Queensland doesn’t provide teachers and staff a specific way to log those incidents.

The QAO’s report on bullying found Education Queensland’s strategies for dealing with the issue were in line with best practice, but the Department doesn’t have the “necessary measures and information” to know if the policies are effective.

Overall there were 76,400 bullying incidents in 2023, with children affected from as young as Prep. More than half of all children impacted (53.5 per cent) only had one repeated incident, but in the worst of cases there were 17 students with 21 instances of bullying, and one with more than 79.

Ms Vagg made a total of six recommendations, including calling on the department to better log cyber-bullying cases, better communicate its bullying policies and available supports to schools and parents, and review the way it engages with parents and the community.

Six recommendations have been made by Rachel Vagg to combat bullying in Queensland schools. Picture: Supplied.

Acting Director-General Sharon Schimming confirmed the department had agreed, or agreed in principle, to all the recommendations but noted an increase in cyber-bullying data collection could increase workloads and red tape for teachers.

“Cyber-bullying is of particular concern for the whole community, particularly parents, who must be supported to take action to protect their children’s mental health and wellbeing from the impact of social media,” Ms Schimming said.

“I am cognisant of managing teacher workload and reducing red tape so schools can focus on teaching and learning.

“The department is committed to working with schools and the community to prioritise the protection, safety, health and wellbeing of all students and staff as the report’s recommendations are addressed.”

More than half of all bullying incidents happened in Queensland’s major cities including Brisbane, Gold Coast, Ipswich and Maroochydore.

Inner-regional areas like Bundaberg, Gladstone, Rockhampton and Toowoomba had the highest rate of cyber-bullying at 0.6 incidents per 100 children.

Bullying took place most often in the classroom (49 per cent), followed by the playground (28 per cent).

A child in Queensland’s most disadvantaged schools are more likely to be bullied than their more privileged peers.

Queensland Teachers Union acting president Leah Olsson. Photo: Supplied/QTU website

Minister for Education John-Paul Langbroek. Picture: NewsWire / Glenn Campbell

Anti-bullying organisation Dolly’s Dream called for schools to be armed with clear processes and resources to manage cyber bullying in order to identify patterns of behaviour early and act quickly.

Dolly’s Dream head Sally Sweeney said cyber bullying was more cover than face-to-face bullying, but its impacts on youth mental health, learning and wellbeing were devastating.

“While we acknowledge concerns about increased teacher workload, we believe streamlined, user-friendly systems could balance these demands with the need for accurate reporting – and the safety of our young people,” she said.

“The stakes are too high to leave cyber bullying incidents untracked and unactioned.”

Queensland Teachers’ Union acting president Leah Olsson said students deserve protection from bullying, but this would not happen until state schools were properly funded and teachers weren’t subject to unmanageable workloads and increasing occupational violence and aggression.

“These issues along with growing incidents of bullying involving students are clear symptoms of a system that is under resourced because of chronic, long term underfunding and State and Federal politicians know this,” she said.

Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said tackling bullying was a “key commitment” of the government.

“It is clear that schools cannot do this work alone and new integrated community approaches to bullying-particularly when it occurs online-are needed, with a focus on mental health and wellbeing,” he said.

“The role of parents and their capacity to take the steps needed to protect their child online must be paramount in our response.”