The outcome of the federal Government’s rapid review into bullying is set to be announced soon, with the goal of establishing a national framework for responding to bullying. Source: The Catholic Weekly.
The review, championed by the Department of Education and co-chaired by Dr Jo Robinson and Dr Charlotte Keating, is examining current strategies to determine what is and what is not working for Australia’s students.
A national standard for responding to bullying would mean no matter what school a bullied child goes to, the same support will be offered.
Two education academics from Australian Catholic University said that while creating a framework was a good start, it likely won’t address the root causes of bullying.
Associate Professor Paul Kidson said the precursors to negative behaviour are often found in a school’s culture, which may foster unkind behaviour or not properly address instances of bullying.
He said teaching children to treat each other respectfully required a “conversion of the soul process”, which Catholic and other faith-based schools already understand well.
“It is the constant renewal of an understanding about who we are as people created in the image of God and treating one another accordingly,” he said.
“We have a really good, positive story to frame it around, which is that dignity of humanity.”
Researcher in inclusive education Dr Matthew White said issues typically arose among students who find it challenging to resolve conflict and solve problems, which then escalate.
Both academics said if the rapid review formulated a national standard for responding to bullying, it would be a good start to tackling the underlying issues.
Dr White said the national framework may only cover the very basic elements without addressing contributing factors.
Dr Kidson said the review should be “crystallising some of the areas we should be prioritising” even though he conceded any legislation will not change the content of people’s character.
FULL STORY
Human dignity reminder could curb bullying, say experts (By Tara Kennedy, The Catholic Weekly)
