Page 47 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 12 February 2019
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MS BERRY: The Education Directorate is often engaging with the school communities about improving school environments for schools in lots of different ways. School satisfaction surveys of school communities are conducted each year. With reference to the Education Directorate’s work in responding to the issues around Theodore giving rise to this line of questioning today, the Education Directorate is regularly corresponding with school principals and leaders about expectations of the directorate and the government about how schools support students and provide excellent learning environments for all our children.
MISS C BURCH: Minister, does the department of education question staff about bullying in the workplace and, if so, what are the latest statistics?
MS BERRY: I have just gone through a conversation with the Assembly about the programs that are in place around positive behaviour for learning, which is about creating an environment in our schools that is a positive, supportive environment for every child to be able to get the best possible education. On occasion, issues arise within our schools—
Ms Lee: On a point of order, Madam Speaker, the minister is referring to the answers that she provided to previous questions, and they were clearly in relation to the circumstances at a particular school, which she clearly knows a lot about. The question that Miss Burch definitely asked was about whether the directorate does regular staff surveys. I would appreciate it if she could get to the point of the question.
MADAM SPEAKER: I will ask the education minister to come to the substance, which was around the results of staff surveys.
MS BERRY: The positive behaviours for learning program actually is directly part of how schools respond to issues like bullying and unhelpful behaviour in school environments, so I—
Ms Lee: Madam Speaker, on the point of order, she is just continuing to repeat what she was saying earlier. The question specifically was about staff and bullying in the workplace, not about the programs that are being rolled out in schools.
MADAM SPEAKER: Minister, you have part of a minute left to come to the point of response to surveys. I think that was the thrust of the question.
MS BERRY: Yes, the directorate does regularly engage with school communities about different ways of support that might be required or issues that might be occurring throughout schools. Those surveys are on a number of issues and could include bullying. I can check with the directorate and provide information to the Assembly as to whether specifically bullying has been an issue that has been the subject of surveys.
MS LEE: How many staff working in your directorate have been the victim of bullying and harassment at work or seen others being bullied or harassed?
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