AQW 8152/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 05/03/2024
Answered On Date: 12/03/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education what plans he has to commission comprehensive research on the forms of bullying taking place in schools.

Answer:

The Department published its first research study into the scale and nature of bullying in schools in 2002. Subsequent similar research studies were completed in 2007 and 2011.

I recognise that the nature of bullying has changed greatly since the last research was completed and a new study would therefore allow the Department to gather up to date data on the nature and prevalence of bullying type behaviour. The Department will commission this research in the forthcoming financial year, dependent on the availability of funding.