The 2018 Attitudes to School report recently released by the Victorian Education Department shows more than a quarter of grade five and six students in government schools in Benalla and Mitchell Shires and more than 30 per cent of Strathbogie and Benalla government school students in years seven to nine have been bullied.
Member for Euroa Steph Ryan said the figures show the state government needed to act urgently to stamp out bullying.
‘‘Rural students are also far more likely to experience bullying in school compared with their metropolitan counterparts,’’ Ms Ryan said.
‘‘Along with the emotional effects, studies have also shown that students targeted by bullying are left behind when it comes to learning outcomes.’’
Ms Ryan said she was deeply concerned by the results of the report.
‘‘These bullying rates are completely unacceptable.
‘‘School principals need more support from the government to help them take action against serial bullies, including expulsion of serial bullies who do not improve their behaviour after repeated warnings and who put the safety and welfare of other students at risk.
‘‘I have also previously called for the implementation of the Alannah and Madeline foundation’s anti-bullying program to be rolled out in all government schools.
‘‘School should be a safe place for all students, regardless of your gender, religion, sexuality, race, ethnicity, family circumstances or your appearance but these results show that the government is not delivering on that basic principle.
‘‘Students across the Euroa electorate have a right to go to school and feel safe and our teachers and principals need to know that the government actually backs their efforts.’’
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