A NEW technological way of dealing with bullying in schools is being supported by Ilkley Rotary Club.

Philip Chinque, the vocational committee chairman of the club has endorsed a new initiative aimed at helping to cope with the social problem - using interactive CD rom computer software discs.

Mr Chinque said: "Bullying is a major problem throughout Society and particularly in schools.

"A major step in dealing with this problem has been the completion of a series of interactive CDs which address the implications of bullying for young and teenage children, as well as for teachers and parents.

"Although the problem may be perceived as of greater concern in more deprived areas than Ilkley, we cannot be complacent about an issue which can have lifelong effects for some victims."

The CDs have been produced as the outcome of an initiative undertaken by Rotary Club members in the North East of England with financial support from The Department of Trade and Industry.

Using a team of experts including Gateshead educational psychologist Val Besag, the CD shows how to tackle bullying, using methods that have proven effective in five European countries.

The CDs use a different style for those below and above the age of 11.

This means that the tone of voice, level of language and presentation style is appropriate to the age group although the messages are essentially similar.

The content is divided into three sections; for children, for teachers and school governors, and for parents.

Desmond Longfellow, president of the Ilkley Rotary Club said: "I approve wholeheartedly of the work undertaken by Mr Sawyer.

The whole educational process will be enhanced by a reduction in fears and tensions in school playgrounds and an increase in the peace of minds for teachers and parents.

"Ilkley Rotary Club is glad to support the distribution of these CD facilities free of charge to schools in our area."

Applications for free CDs should be submitted on school headed note-paper, specifying whether the CDs will be used for primary or secondary levels and for use on PC Windows 95 or Macintosh, should be sent to the 'Vocational Committee Chairman', 18 Parish Ghyll Drive, Ilkley LS29 9ND.

Copies can also be provided for home or non-school use and applications for these should include cheques to cover £10 (including post and packing) for each copy of the CD, made out to Ilkley Rotary Club.

Minimum Computer System requirements are Pentium 16Mb RAM; graphics card to support 800x600 at 65536 colours; sound card that supports direct sound; CD Drive X 4-speed; operating system running Windows 95/Windows NT 4.0 or the Macintosh equivalent.

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