22 student pregnancies, 404 reported cases of bullying in 2015-16 scholastic year

There were 22 pregnancies among secondary school students during the last scholastic year, information tabled in Parliament yesterday evening shows.

Education Minister Evarist Bartolo provided the information in reply to a PQ by PL MP Anthony Agius Decelis.

The information shows that the cases involved two 13year-olds, one 14-year-old, four 15-year-olds and 15 16year-olds.

Mr Bartolo said three of the 16-year-olds and a 15-year-old stayed in school, nine started attending a special school for expectant students and eight preferred to stay at home.

Replying to another PQ, the Education Minister said there were 389 reported cases of bullying in state schools during the 2015-2016 scholastic year.

There were 13-reports of bullying in church schools and 2 reports in independent schools, for a total of 404 reported cases.

The Education Minister said the action taken in bullying cases depends on the nature of the case or allegation.

Actions can include counselling and guidance sessions for both the victims and aggressors, as well as sessions with a psychologist and/or social worker.

Guidance Teachers from the Anti-Bullying Team visit the schools where cases are reported and follow established procedures.

Through ‘restorative justice’ students are taught that there are consequences for every action.

Mr Bartolo’s reply to another PQ shows that 1,190 parents were summoned before the Regional Tribunal over child absenteeism last year.

There were 1,323 cases in the 2014/15 scholastic year, 1,609 in the 2013/14 scholastic year and 1,408 in the 2012/13 scholastic year.

The vast majority of parents summoned before the tribunal were children of state school students.