Bullying remains a problem, although a decreasing one, in primary schools throughout the State, a survey has found. Ten per cent of pupils in the majority of schools display minor disciplinary problems, while 5 per cent have major difficulties.
The results of the survey, conducted in 632 primary schools last May, were given at a consultative conference of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) in Cork yesterday.
Outlining the findings, Mr Nollaig Feirtear, of the INTO's education committee, said fewer schools were reporting major problems with indiscipline, but the issue was nevertheless a live one for teachers in the schools surveyed.
Some 10 per cent of pupils in 90 per cent of the schools under review had minor disciplinary problems, while 5 per cent displayed major problems. An average of 37 per cent of teacher respondents reported that, while there was some improvement in the level of bullying, it remained a problem.
It was found, Mr Feirtear added, that where support services such as the Stay Safe Programme or the home/school community liaison scheme were in operation, schools experienced a fall-off in the level of indiscipline and bullying.
Mr Feirtear said the availability of psychological support services for schools remained an issue and the INTO believed extra Government funding should be made available without delay for such services in schools where they did not exist.
It was the experience of teachers, he said, that, taken together, the package of support services could have a very positive effect in reducing indiscipline.
Factors which contributed to the problem included home background and the attitude to discipline instilled in pupils when they were young. An integrated approach was needed which required teachers, parents, school management and pupils to take responsibility for indiscipline, he said.