New bullying legislation is set to come into operation in schools in Northern Ireland this September.
Education Minister Peter Weir made the announcement on Wednesday and said we "all have a part to play in creating a society and an education system in which bullying behaviour is always challenged".
The legislation will provide a legal definition of bullying; introduce a requirement for schools to record all incidents of bullying; and require Boards of Governors to take direct responsibility for developing and monitoring the effectiveness of Anti-Bullying policy and practice within schools.
It will come into operation in Northern Ireland on September 1, 2021.
Minister Weir said: "I am pleased to be able to finally bring this important piece of legislation, which was supported by all parties, into law.
"Bullying is a complex issue with no single, easy solution however, we all have a part to play in creating a society and an education system in which bullying behaviour is always challenged and dealt with effectively, as soon as it rears its head.
"Schools must be welcoming places and therefore issues such as bullying must be dealt with to ensure that all young people enjoy their school days and make the most of their time there to ensure they reach their full potential."
The Addressing Bullying in Schools Act (NI) 2016 will bring renewed focus for schools to this very important issue and deliver greater consistency and impact in the treatment of all forms of bullying, the Department of Education said.
The Department of Education undertook a public consultation on the new legislative proposals for addressing bullying in schools in 2015, receiving 4,860 responses.
Over 4,000 of these came directly from pupils and young people themselves, reflecting the importance of this issue for our education system.
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