59958 (2024). Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan to the Associate Minister of Education

59958 (2024). Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan to the Associate Minister of Education: In response to Reply 56344, how, if at all, will students who are being bullied be supported to regularly attend school?

Hon David Seymour: 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 section 127 of the Education and Training Act 2020 (the Act). If students are not attending school because they are being bullied, then the school must identify and respond to the bullying behaviour and take action to enable the student to return to school as quickly as possible. All children and young people have the right to feel safe, secure, accepted and valued at school. How schools respond to specific incidents is likely to vary depending on the severity of the bullying and the needs of those involved.