12% of pupils bullied every week

At least three children in every primary school fourth class are being bullied every week, and it is having a significant effect on their education.

The findings in a survey of 4,500 Irish 10-year-olds during international tests show that 12% say they were bullied at school “about weekly”. This means three children in the average 24-pupil class say they experienced three of the following six bullying behaviours once or twice a month:

* Being made fun of or called names