Bullying turning kids away from classroom

VICIOUS bullying is driving hundreds of Queensland kids out of the classroom, with a record number of parents choosing to home school their children in a desperate bid to protect them.

More than 2500 Queensland children are now educated at home – more than double the figure of five years ago – according to official Government figures.

Experts say the surge is being fuelled by a bullying crisis in Queensland schools, with frustrated parents turning into teachers because they have run out of options.

Stuart Chapman, from Accelerate Christian Home Schooling, said: “Bullying is now the most common reason given to start education at home.”

Ten years ago most of his clients were religious families; now only about a quarter of his clients are especially religious, and often only one child is home schooled because of problems at schools.

Rebecca English, of the Queensland University of Technology, said her research revealed a growing number of parents were turning to home schooling “accidentally”.

“For many families, it’s a diagnosis, often of autism, giftedness, or even ADHD. For others, it’s sustained and repeated bullying,” she said.