Bullying punishments suggested

Updated 14.34 Tue Mar 27 2007

Keywords: Commons Select Committee, education, bullying, school, UK

A group of MPs claims the true scale of bullying is being played down by schools trying to protect their reputations.

The Commons Education Select Committee is concerned victims are often excluded from classes, rather than the bullies.

"We are concerned to hear that some schools are excluding the victims" - Commons Select Committee

They also say pupils should decide how to punish playground bullies and suggest litter-picking and school clean-ups.

In a report, the Committee said: "We are concerned to hear that some schools are excluding the victims of bullying on health and safety grounds.

"Violence in retaliation against bullying is unacceptable and schools are right to discipline the perpetrators of violence.

"However, we would expect previous bullying to be taken into account when deciding on appropriate disciplinary measures."

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