Bullying and the school

There is a lot of debate about bullying in school.

One aspect that hasn’t been highlighted is when the perpetrator is a teacher or principal. A small number of individuals claim this has been the case.

This problem isn’t addressed by the present system. A typical school board is made up of chairperson, two community representatives and two dhairperson’s nominees, two parental representatives who are not allowed to represent parents, and the principal and a teachers’ representative. Schools do have parent associations but they are only to support the schools. So who would a parent highlight this issue to as they aren’t entitled to a say in the school and the board is naturally biased in favour of teachers or principals?

The complaints procedure requires parents have two letters from the school board prior to going to the Department of Education, and the board secretary is the principal. So the school board and/or principal have the power to prevent parents complaints been ever heard as would likely be the case if the perpetrator was a teacher or principal.

Ted Bradley

Charleville

Co Cork