Thursday, 24 September, 2004

Ogilvy: Bullying survey highlights need for character education

The PPTA survey revealing alarming levels of bullying and violence directed at teachers is yet another reason why character education is needed in schools, United Future's Bernie Ogilvy said today.

"The survey makes for disturbing reading, with some 12 per cent of secondary teachers bullied daily and more than a third of bullied weekly; and half bullied at least once a month," Mr Ogilvy, United Future's education spokesman, said.

"Violence is the ultimate manifestation of an unhealthy climate in a school or a workplace. The purpose of education is to grow citizens. It's crazy to think that this can be done in a culture of dread."

United Future's proposed character education programmes in schools look more and more necessary with every revelation of the growing chaos in the classroom, he said.

"Character education reaches across the whole school community to students, teachers and parents. Programmes build a school culture based on honesty, respect, responsibility and consideration - none of which is present when you have teachers being bullied and assaulted.

"Character education is not a quick-fix, but over time it will help transform schools for the better and help produce better citizens," Mr Ogilvy said.

ENDS

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