This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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No excuse for violence in schools - Minister
23/01/2002
School must be a safe environment where violent
behaviour towards staff or pupils is simply not tolerated,
Deputy Education Minister Nicol Stephen stressed today.
Mr Stephen was commenting on today's statistics on
reported incidents of violence against local authority
school staff.
Speaking at a 'Speak Out Day' organised by the
Anti-Bullying Network and the Scottish Schools Ethos
Network, he said:
"There can be no excuse for violence and threatening
behaviour against staff in Scotland's schools. Teachers
must be able to do their jobs without fear of verbal or
physical abuse. The figures published today reinforce my
concern about the problems that teachers face in schools
and my determination to tackle them.
"Much has been done by local authorities to ensure that
incidents of this nature are reported and addressed, and
this is reflected in the increased numbers.
"We should therefore be clear that an increase in
reporting does not mean that our schools are now more
violent than previously, but we must continue to ensure
early action makes a decisive impact on reducing the number
of such incidents.
"Tackling indiscipline and disruptive behaviour in
schools is a top priority for the Scottish Executive. I
hope that the implementation of the Discipline Task Group
Joint Action Plan will help to address these issues. Our
aim is to support local authorities so that we can create a
positive environment for learning and teaching in
Scotland's schools.
"We will do everything we can to ensure that those who
work and learn in schools do so in an atmosphere free of
violence and intimidation."
Speaking directly about the conference, the Minister
continued:
"Encouraging pupils to make a positive contribution to
their school is a key element in reducing bullying and
indiscipline. Both Networks involved in today's event are
helping young people and schools to set the right
example."
The National Statistical News Release 'Incidents of
Violence against Local Authority Staff in 2000-2001' was
published today.
Mr Stephen was speaking in Dunblane at a 'Speak Out Day'
organised by the Anti-Bullying Network and Scottish Schools
Ethos Network. The event focuses on overcoming the barriers
to pupil participation in schools. The ABN and SSEN are
both funded by the Scottish Executive. The former shares
good practice in tackling school bullying with schools and
authorities and provides in-school training and
consultancy; the latter aims to encourage the creation of a
positive ethos in schools in order to improve the learning
environment.
Discipline Action Plan: The Joint Action Plan to take
forward the recommendations from the report of the
Discipline Task Group (DTG) 'Better Behaviour - Better
Learning', was launched by the Minister for Education and
Young People on 12 December 2001. COSLA, ADES (Association
of Directors of Education in Scotland) and ADSW
(Association of Directors of Social Work) were
co-signatories of the report. The Scottish Executive is
immediately making available funds to Local Authorities to
assist them in their initial policy review and planning (£3
million) and also the development of pupil support bases
where needed (£10 million).
The Scottish Executive currently funds a number of
initiatives aimed at improving discipline and encouraging a
positive ethos in schools. These include:
Support for Parents:
The Scottish Executive has committed £15 million over 3
years from 1999-2002 to an Excellence Fund initiative
encouraging parents' involvement in their children's
education.
Study Support:
The Executive has committed £27m over 3 years from
1999-2002 to assist local authorities in developing study
support, complementing the £23.6m being provided under the
New Opportunities Fund for out of school hours learning.
The aim of the initiative is to improve self-esteem,
motivation and behaviour amongst pupils who are
disaffected, disengaged or verging on exclusion.
New Community Schools:
£26 million over 3 years for the New Community Schools
pilot programme. This is expected to impact on pupil
behaviour by providing integrated family support, family
learning and health improvement services which can
intervene at an early stage to tackle family problems which
might otherwise carry over to the classroom.
Education Action Plans:
£15 million over 3 years supports 16 local authorities
in their attempts to raise attainment in schools facing
major challenges.