Media Release
3 July 2008
Anti-bullying resources a good start
The Ministry of Education’s newly launched anti-bullying strategy is heading down the right track, but more staffing
resources will be needed for it to really succeed.
PPTA junior vice president Kate Gainsford says the resources launched today to help make schools a safer place were a
step in the right direction, particularly in their focus on de-normalising bullying.
“Evidence shows that being open with students about their right to seek help with bullying is quite a good approach,”
Gainsford said.
This was backed up by a Norwegian initiative, the 1998 Loeber and Farrington review that looked at school-based
intervention focused on reducing bullying.
It involved resources that described bully/victim problems, suggestions about what teachers could do and an information
package distributed to all families in Norway with school-age children.
The results of the project were promising with reported bullying reduced by 50 percent in eight months.
Gainsford said, while the PPTA supported the extra resources, it also recognised the need for extra staffing to help
guide students through difficulties.
“In 2000 a government staffing review group showed extra staffing hours and support would be required to provide
adequate guidance and pastoral care for students. We are still waiting for that to be implemented.
“It has been known since then that students need greater levels of support and care, but the Ministry does not seem to
be prepared to put the staffing in to achieve this,” she said.
Gainsford was also pleased with comments from Children’s Commissioner Cindy Kiro that bullying is a family issue as
well.
“All the resources in the world won’t be enough if schools do their part and families do not. These issues have the
greatest chance of being resolved if addressed at ages 5 or below.
“Combating bullying will have to be a team effort, focusing on information for students and families and support and
resources for teachers,” she said.
ends