A REPORT on bullying and violence in Fife's schools has been requested by councillors after a shocking video of a classroom fight reached the First Minister.

The attack at Waid Academy in Anstruther was condemned at Holyrood and local representatives are now asking for detailed information on the extent of the problem and how it is dealt with.

Councillor Dave Dempsey, who represents Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay, was one of two to bring the recommendation to the attention of last week's education scrutiny committee.

Speaking after the meeting, he told the Press: "The principle thing is how much is there?

"Since this one at Waid broke, other reports are starting to emerge and this comes as no surprise, I don't think this is new.

"It may be worse now or different but bullying and how you deal with it has been a problem in schools since my kids were there and they're in their 30s now and probably long before that.

"It worries me that schools find it difficult to deal with it as we would want it dealt with and easier to not brush it under the carpet but to take the victim away.

"That is probably the relatively easy answer but it's not the right one, it must be difficult to ascertain the true facts, although when things are videoed there's less doubt about it."

He hopes that a report would uncover what procedures are in place in schools and whether they work to deter violence.

He continued: "That's the ultimate question – how big is the problem, how are we dealing with it, and is there something we could be doing better?

"I would be disappointed if they think they can give us one report and that's the end of the story.

"The advice for anyone who has an issue with their child's education is talk to the headteacher, that's a sensible place to start and in most cases that resolves it."

Last week, Queen Anne High School's acting headteacher, Angela Robertson, told the Press that violence was not something she is "personally worried about" in Dunfermline.

Cllr Dempsey says he has had no reports of similar acts in the West Fife area.

He added: "I don't know whether we're lucky or not, I think it's just kids are kids.

"I am sure bright kids can be just as nasty as those who don't do as well in attainment terms."

And despite the topic being raised to Nicola Sturgeon, he says it is down to Fife Council to find a solution.

"It's gone all the way to the First Minister, we shouldn't be seen to not be doing anything about it," he said.

"It's the council that runs the schools and the council has the freedom to define its own approach to these things.

"There's a lot of interaction between different educational authorities but, unlike the hospitals, the schools are the council's responsibility and it definitely starts with the council.

"Really, unless it requires a change in the law – which I would be surprised about – then it probably doesn't need to go near the government.

"It did reach the First Minister and I've no problem with them making pronouncements on it but the devil's always in the detail and the detail lies with the council.

"Be rest assured, if I don't think it's going fast enough then I'll be making noises."

l Total of 13,620 days lost last year in Fife schools as a result of mental ill health, page 16.