56346 (2024). Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan to the Associate Minister of Education

56346 (2024). Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan to the Associate Minister of Education: What protections, if any, are in place for student safety from bullying and harassment at school?

Hon David Seymour: All children and young people have the right to feel safe, secure, accepted and valued at school. Bullying is a serious issue that all schools face and every school has its own processes for reporting, recording, and responding to bullying. I am advised by the Ministry of Education (the Ministry) that each school board is responsible for implementing policies and procedures to ensure that the school ‘takes all reasonable steps to eliminate racism, stigma, bullying, and any other forms of discrimination within the school’ as per the Education and Training Act 2020 (the Act) (s127(1)(b)(iii)). Ensuring that places of learning are safe, inclusive, and free from racism, discrimination and bullying is also a priority in the Statement of National Education and Learning Priorities (NELP). Boards of schools and kura must have particular regard to the NELP, including in their strategic planning. How schools respond to specific incidents is likely to vary depending on the severity of the bullying and the needs of those involved. I am acutely aware that bullying and harassment is a real issue for students that many families, schools and the government is grappling with.