In the school mentioned in the article, there was a significant decrease in bullying. But we don't know absolute figures before and after (understandably, that

In the school mentioned in the article, there was a significant decrease in bullying. But we don't know absolute figures before and after (understandably, that is difficult to measure). Two thoughts: 1. Perhaps the effect of loosening the rules lasts only a few years. After that the playground gets boring again and the bullies resume their behavior. 2. There might be other factors too, such as the environment of the kids when they are away from school.