Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff says the impact of bullying on a 12-year-old boy at Riverside High School, who was racially and physically abused, breaks his heart.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The father of the year 7 student spoke to The Examiner and said he was not satisfied with the school's response and had since filed a complaint to the Education Department.
Following the complaint he detailed the bullying his son endured in an email to Mr Rockliff.
The minister visited the family last week at their home and said the events surrounding the case would be fully investigated by the department.
"As I listened to what had transpired, my heart just broke, as it was so evidently clear the impact this terrible experience had on this young person," Mr Rockliff said.
"It is unfortunate in the extreme and a sad reality that despite our best efforts, bullying and racism does still occur at times in communities across Tasmania, which can then find its way into our schools.
"It is important we all set the right example and make it clear bullying will not be tolerated."
IN OTHER NEWS:
Mr Rockliff said to prevent bullying a collaborative effort was needed beyond the school. He said it was equally important the right supports were there for people who experienced it.
The boy's father said the school did not seem to have adequate procedures in place to deal with bullying and more needed to be done to address it.
"[One] said we're not in the business of putting heads on spikes outside the school and [your son] is one of 250 students in the grade," he said.
"Then [they] went on to say 'yes we will investigate, but we still have to teach, there are other commitments we have at the school so we can't just drop everything and handle this'."
Mr Rockliff said there were resources for schools through the Combating Bullying initiative but all were expected to provide safe, inclusive and supportive environments.
"They are required to develop a specific policy for their school that recognises the ranges of strategies for supporting and promoting positive and respectful behaviour," he said.
"All students have an absolute and fundamental right to be free from bullying, harassment and discrimination."
- Lifeline 13 11 14
Do you think schools are doing enough? Have your say with a letter to the editor:
