Minister for Education Norma Foley has praised the efforts of over 600 teachers who have completed specialized training to address cyberbullying in schools. The training, provided by Oide, the Department of Education’s professional development service, equips teachers with the tools and knowledge to effectively deal with cyberbullying incidents.
Developed in collaboration with Webwise, the courses launched in September 2022 and offer educators insights into understanding, preventing, and responding to cyberbullying. To date, 210 primary school teachers and 438 post-primary teachers have completed the training.
Minister Foley emphasized the importance of creating a safe and supportive school environment, highlighting the unique challenges posed by online bullying. “Cyberbullying can be particularly damaging because it is so pervasive,” she said. “I commend all the teachers who have taken the initiative to better protect their students.”
The training is part of the broader Cineáltas Action Plan on Bullying, which aims to create a more inclusive and kind school culture. The Department of Education continues to offer these courses, with unlimited availability for teachers, and plans to introduce additional training resources in the near future.
A Cineáltas showcase event is scheduled for September 25 in Croke Park, where schools will display their efforts in promoting kindness and combating bullying.
For more information, teachers and school leaders can access the courses online, with certificates awarded upon completion.