Minister moves to shield teachers from cyberbullies

Mar 26 2008 by Laura Sharpe, Liverpool Daily Post

TEACHERS are going to be protected from cyberbullying by pupils and parents.

The Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls, will announce plans to protect teachers from internet bullying today.

He has asked the Cyberbullying Taskforce – who until now have focussed on the impact of cyberbullying on children – to look at ways of protecting teachers.

The announcement comes after growing instances of cyberbullying where teachers have been abused via email or had their picture posted on networking sites.

Speaking at the National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers annual conference in Birmingham, Mr Balls will ask the taskforce to report by July.

Where cyber bullies are found guilty, their parents should be shown what the offence was.

In his speech, Mr Balls is expected to say: “Bullying is never acceptable, and we will do all we can to prevent it in all its forms.

“The law requires headteachers to take action to prevent all forms of bullying.

“It also gives school staff statutory power to punish bullying whether that occurs in or out of school. We already give schools advice on the practical measures they can take to tackle bullying, including guidance on dealing with cyberbullying.

“But I want to go further, by saying that Cyberbullying of teachers should be treated as a serious disciplinary offence.”