Safe Schools program to be discontinued in NSW

NSW government has announced they will no longer run the Safe Schools program.

NSW Education Minister Rob Stokes said the government was working on a new anti-bullying plan which would be available to teachers by term three.

"The Australian government, who fund and oversee the Safe Schools program, have advised that they will no longer be providing funding for the program by mid-year," Stokes said.

Stokes said NSW public schools would continue to provide support to students.

"Bullying will never be tolerated in NSW public schools — whether it be because someone is overweight, gay, based on the colour of their skin or for any other reason," Stokes said.

"Students and parents should expect that schools are a place where they feel safe."

Former prime minister Tony Abbott welcomed the decision.

"Good that NSW is scrapping so called Safe Schools, a social engineering programme dressed up as anti-bullying," Abbott said.