Schools face fines over bullying

Schools in Chile can be fined up to $4,000 for failing to do enough to prevent bullying, officials said. The newspaper La Tercera reported that under the law, which took effect this year, the fines can be doubled for recurring cases of bullying, The Santiago Times said. Complaints of bullying rose from 1,671 in 2010 to 2,055 in 2011, a 21 percent increase, the Ministry of Education said. Of the 2011 complaints, 1,249 involved physical bullying, 806, psychological bullying. The law also requires the 12,500 state schools and subsidized schools that receive state funding to set up a council of parents, students and staff to prevent aggression. Private schools also are expected to have such committees. Aggressive behavior can lead to responses from counseling to expulsion. Francisca Orrego, an elementary school teacher in Santiago, told The Santiago Times the law should be strengthened. "I have seen many cases of psychological and physical bullying where complaints were ignored," Orrego said. "I think people will always have problems with each other, but if the law changes, then it's good because at least the bullying can be controlled in schools."