Bí Cineálta

Cineáltas is dedicated to the prevention and addressing of bullying, including cyber bullying, racist bullying, gender identity bullying and sexual harassment in schools. It is centred on a children’s rights­ based approach and provides a collective vision and clear roadmap for how the education community and society can work together to prevent and address bullying in our schools.

These procedures are called “Bí Cineálta” which means “Be Kind”. Showing kindness and being kind to each other underpins these procedures and supports school environments that foster empathy and understanding. The focus in these procedures on restoring relationships after bullying behaviour has been displayed will help to rebuild trust, encourage accountability and a supportive school culture.

These procedures will empower schools to understand and to make informed decisions around measures needed to prevent bullying behaviour and to support students affected by bullying behaviour. The Bí Cineálta procedures aim to support school communities to prevent and address bullying behaviour. They have been developed with the four key principles of Cineáltas in mind: prevention; support; oversight and community.

A Cineáltas flag was given to all schools as a symbol to remind the whole school community of the importance of kindness, respect, equality, and inclusion. The Cineáltas flag recognises the good work that schools are already doing, and will do, to prevent and address bullying and to promote equality, inclusion, diversity and wellbeing.