By JENNIFER SMITH, age 15

IN the newspapers there have been stories about young people taking their own life because of school bullies.

What are the schools going to do now, or in the future about this issue?

They have come out with the usual views such as 'we have strict bullying policies', and 'the bullies are being severely dealt with'.

What exactly is meant when the head teachers say 'severely dealt with?'

The policy on bullying in schools should be looked into before the amount of cases escalates.

Is it just simply an apology to the victim, along with the headteacher having a 'serious' word, or detention in secondary schools?

Do these victims not tell the teachers because they do not see the point in suffering embarrassment and threats, while the schools do not take action strong enough to stop the problem?

In some serious cases, the schools say that suspending the offenders is a suitable punishment, but that is like giving the student a holiday. Is this a serious enough punishment?

If the case is serious enough then expelling the child is a possible solution - in my opinion it is one of the better solutions.

Action

The victim has had their life ruined, so why shouldn't the bullies?

Of course, the case for expelling a pupil would have to be serious. The case would have to be looked into first to say it is worth that punishment.

For example this punishment should not be used for something as small as name-calling, which can be sorted out in another way.

The schools have to make it clear they are not just saying they will expel a pupil as a threat.