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Survey reveals extent of bullying in NI schools
17 February 2010
More then one in five 11-year-old pupils in Northern Ireland have been the victim of violent bullies, a new survey has found.
According to the Kids' Life and Times Survey, conducted by researchers at Queen's University and the University of Ulster, Belfast, 22 per cent of 11-year-olds have been physically bullied.
Dr Katrina Lloyd, Queen's University, said: "The years spent at primary school are crucial to a child's development, not only in terms of what they learn but also their general wellbeing.
"It is important that those involved in educating our children understand the extent to which they do or do not enjoy being at school."
A further 36 per cent of the surveyed primary school pupils, who came from 268 institutions, reported having been bullied in non-physical ways, including being left out of games, verbally insulted and being made the subject of malicious rumours.
Queen's University was founded in 1845 by Queen Victoria and officially opened in 1849.