School bullying in the Balearic Islands and conflict in educational centres have begun a downward trend for the first time since the pandemic. This is reflected in the Report of the Balearic Islands School Liaison Police Programme (Policia Tutor) for the 2024–2025 academic year, presented by the Director General for Emergencies and Home Affairs of the Balearic Government, Pablo Gárriz, and the Programme coordinator, Rafel Covas.

The most significant finding in the report is the overall reduction in police interventions. In total, officers recorded 5% fewer interventions than in the previous academic year, reinforcing the perception that school-related conflicts are being contained. During 2024–2025 there were 5,786 interventions, of which 2,482 took place in the school setting, 3,029 involved minors outside educational centres, and 275 were related to new technologies, the internet and social media.

School bullying in the Balearic Islands

As regards school bullying in the Balearic Islands, the 2024–2025 academic year recorded 181 cases, compared with 184 in 2023–2024, while conflicts between pupils fell by 8%.

Fewer offences and fewer incidents in educational centres

The Report shows a general decrease in interventions of a criminal and public-safety nature in educational centres across the Balearic Islands during 2024–2025. Key indicators include:

  • Theft and burglary: 59 cases, 49% fewer than the previous academic year.
  • Alleged offences: 428 interventions, representing a 19% decrease.
  • Damage to facilities and vehicles: 65 cases, 4% fewer.
  • Serious confrontations with teaching staff: 130 cases, virtually unchanged from 2023–2024.

In terms of public safety, interventions linked to the school environment also fell, with 35% fewer actions involving expelled pupils and 64% fewer identifications of suspects in the vicinity of schools.

Drugs, vapes and absenteeism

The report also highlights other risk behaviours among minors. The use and possession of drugs within educational centres fell by 24%, although there was a notable increase in the use of vapes and tobacco on school premises, rising from 48 to 92 cases in a single academic year.

Outside the school setting, drug-related interventions increased to 106 cases, 27 more than the previous academic year. School absenteeism remains broadly stable, though it edged up slightly, from 372 to 385 cases.

Prevention of school bullying in the Balearic Islands

The Balearic Government attributes these results largely to the preventive work carried out by the 102 school liaison officers in educational centres across the islands. Throughout 2024–2025, 2,049 prevention sessions were delivered, involving 52,396 pupils and 544 parents. The sessions covered issues such as peer bullying, responsible use of new technologies, legal and illegal drugs, and the Safer Parties programme.

At present, 63 municipalities in the Balearic Islands are part of the Policia Tutor Programme, which has been in place since the 2008–2009 academic year. The overall assessment remains positive: educational centres rated the work of the liaison officers with an average score of 4.5 out of 5, consolidating a programme which, according to the Report, is beginning to deliver results in tackling school bullying in the Balearic Islands and improving coexistence in classrooms.

“When it comes to school bullying, the Government of Marga Prohens will never look the other way,” said Pablo Gárriz, adding: “Ensuring the safety and protection of our sons and daughters, and eradicating bullying and violence in classrooms and in the school environment, are priorities for this Government. The figures in this report are a small boost that shows us the work of school liaison officers delivers results, that we are on the right track, but also that there is still much to do and that we cannot lower our guard at any time.”