There are only four countries in the world with less recorded bullying at school than Ireland, a new study has found.

The survey of 4,500 Irish ten-year-olds has been released as part of the International Association for Evaluation of Educational Achievement report into the performance of schools worldwide. According to the research, 12 per cent of fourth class pupils encounter bullying each week.

With the average fourth class consisting of 24 pupils, the figures suggest that three children are experiencing at least three acts of bullying at school "about weekly". These acts include name-calling, having something stolen from them or being hit or hurt by another student. A further 25 per cent of pupils admit they experience three of the bullying behaviours each month.

The only countries that recorded less bullying than Ireland were Azerbaijan, Sweden, Georgia and Denmark.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, general secretary of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation Sheila Nunn admitted that bullying occurs in all schools, but suggests that Irish pupils experience less because teachers are "committed" to dealing with it.

She said: "Thousands of teacher hours are spent every year investigating allegations, monitoring situations, following up on cases, and meeting parents and pupils."

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