Study: 43% of teens bullied

SOME 43% of 15-year-olds report having experienced some form of bullying, according to a new study.

The Programme for International Student Assessment test — part of a wider review of educational standards in Western countries — looked at factors affecting student success in science, maths and literacy.

Experiences in schools examined included the time spent studying, absenteeism as well as bullying.

However, the report’s authors noted yesterday the high number may have been because of the way students were questioned. Rather than being asked to answer “yes” or “no” to being bullied they answered questions about types of bullying, such as being called names.

As much as 14% said they had experienced three or more forms of bullying.

The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) said it was worried by the research.

Schools were constantly being “given advice which asserts the rights of disruptive students” claimed general secretary John White.

The union said Education Minister Mary Hanafin had failed to implement recommendations from a task force on student behaviour which had in 2006 noted the impact negative behaviour from a minority of students had on the majority of students.

“Central to the thrust of the task force report is the need to address issues such as large class size and to provide schools with access to specialist support structures for students with emotional and behavioural problems,” added Mr White.

Yesterday’s study, which was part of wider research in 30 OECD countries, found students who had not experienced any bullying gained the highest test scores, significantly outperforming those who had experienced three or more forms.

Females who experienced just one type of bullying were prone to performing worse compared to males.

Students who escaped bullying in or outside school were also likely to do better at science.

Resources in schools were irrelevant to student test scores, however those with more computers were linked to worse results.

Details on the report are available to view online at www.erc.ie/pisa