Government pledges zero tolerance on bullying
The government has pledged that bullying “will not be tolerated” as anti-bullying week gets under way.
Schools minister Jacqui Smith said: “Bullying should never be tolerated in our schools, no matter what its motivation.”
A recent survey commissioned by the NSPCC and Sugar magazine reveals a worrying picture of Britain’s playgrounds. More than nine out of ten teenage girls claims to have been bullied, while two out of three also admit to having bullied others.
Ms Smith added: “Our white paper commitments will strengthen the authority of teachers, giving them the confidence to take firm action on all forms of bad behaviour.
“Children must know what is right and what is wrong, and that there will be consequences for crossing the line.”
Proposals being considered include enforcing fines of up to £1,000 on bullies and their parents and allowing courts to impose parenting-orders on the families of problem pupils.
