*************************
Following is a question by the Hon Lau Wong-fat and a reply by the Secretary for Education, Mr Michael Suen, in the Legislative Council today (January 27):
Question:
It has been learnt that incidents of bullying in schools have occurred from time to time in recent years. There were incidents which involved students using violence to harm others in schools, and some students even gathered outside their schools to assault and bully fellow students. Recently, the parents of a secondary school student have relayed to me that they are deeply upset because their son has been persistently bullied by fellow students at school, yet the school has failed to tackle the problem effectively. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether it knows if the guidelines set out in the resource package "Co-creating a Harmonious School" developed by the Education Bureau have been followed at present by Direct Subsidy Scheme, government, subsidised and private primary and secondary schools in handling incidents of bullying in schools; if the guidelines have not been followed, whether individual schools have dealt with the problem according to their own rationales and ways; and
(b) of the government departments from which the parents concerned can seek assistance when individual schools and their stationing school social workers fail to tackle the problem of bullying occurring in schools, and whether the authorities will render new support for such parents; if so, of the details?
Reply:
Acting President,
(a) The Education Bureau (EDB) has a very clear policy whereby we will not tolerate any act of bullying in schools. We have issued circulars and required all schools to take the matter seriously and implement proactive measures to ensure the safety of students at school and to create a harmonious school environment. All schools must follow these important principles.
The resource package that the question has made reference to aims to provide guidelines and advice for schools to enhance teachers¡¦ awareness about school bullying and help schools formulate school-based strategies to handle, follow up and prevent such incidents.
The EDB also regularly issues circulars and organises talks and workshops for schools to remind them to handle school bullying incidents according to the relevant guidelines, and urge schools to adopt a whole-school approach in formulating and implementing anti-bullying strategies based on their individual circumstances with reference to the relevant resource packages developed by the EDB. If there are unfortunately bullying incidents, schools should intervene and take follow-up action in accordance with the "Flowchart in Handling Bullying Incidents" provided in the EDB's guidelines as soon as possible, taking education, guidance and protection of their students as their prime concern. They should help the bullying students rectify their behavioral problems, protect the students being bullied and restore a harmonious school environment. As far as we know, schools generally follow the principles set out in the guidelines of the EDB in implementing the anti-bullying policy.
(b) Home-school co-operation is pivotal in tackling school bullying. We encourage schools and parents to work closely together. Parents may contact schools directly to express their opinions. Moreover, the EDB has put in place a mechanism to deal with or intervene in special cases. If parents consider that the problem of bullying has not been fully resolved even after the collaborative efforts of the school management, guidance and discipline personnel and the school social worker, they may approach the Regional Education Office of the EDB for assistance. The School Development Officer concerned will look into the case and, if necessary, provide consultation, training and counselling services for the school personnel and students concerned jointly with the Educational Psychologists and School Development Officers of the Guidance and Discipline Section. If the cases are serious, or involve suspected abuse or criminal elements, we will liaise with the Social Welfare Department (SWD) and the Hong Kong Police Force for appropriate handling measures. If suspected abuse is involved, the parents may consult the Family and Child Protective Services Unit of SWD in the respective district so that case consultation, referral, counseling and group work services, etc. would be provided. If the school or parents consider that the incident is serious or involves criminal offence, they could report the case to the Police or seek support from the School Liaison Officers of the Police, so that the Police may take follow-up actions.
Ends/Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:02
NNNN
