Bullying Cases in Maltese Schools Jump 18% in Latest Year
The problem of bullying in Maltese schools is getting worse, with newly released figures showing a sharp 18% increase in reported cases over the past year. Education Minister Clifton Grima has confirmed that there were 627 reported cases of bullying and 37 reported cases of cyberbullying in schools last year, responding to a parliamentary question from MP Bernice Bonello, shadow minister for the young [1].
The upward trend is impossible to ignore. Just two years ago, in 2023, schools reported 499 bullying cases. That number climbed to 531 in 2024, and then jumped significantly to 627 last year — a rise of 96 cases in just twelve months [1].
Breaking down the figures by school level paints a sobering picture. Primary schools reported 277 cases, middle schools recorded 182 cases, and secondary schools saw 168 cases last year [1]. This shows that bullying is affecting our young people right across the education system, from those just starting school to older teenagers.
Cyberbullying Also on the Rise
The cyberbullying figures are equally concerning, though the numbers are smaller. There were 37 reported cases of online bullying last year, compared to just 23 cases in 2024 — a jump of 61% [1]. The breakdown shows that middle school students accounted for 18 of those cases, with primary schools reporting 15 cases and secondary schools reporting 4 cases [1].
What's particularly troubling is that cyberbullying had actually dropped from 25 cases in 2023 to 23 in 2024, suggesting this year's spike represents a reversal of that temporary improvement [1].
The figures show that bullying remains a persistent challenge across all levels of Maltese education, from primary through to secondary school.
These statistics underscore what many parents and educators have long suspected — that bullying continues to be a serious issue affecting Malta's young people. With cases rising year-on-year, questions will inevitably be raised about what more can be done to support both victims and schools in tackling this problem at its root.