This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Survey on violence against teachers
30/01/2003
Physical and verbal abuse of teachers and other school
staff will not be tolerated in Scotland's schools,
Education Minister Cathy Jamieson said today.
Commenting on new statistics which show reported
incidents of violence and anti-social behaviour against
local authority school staff increased last year, she said
wide-ranging and effective action was already underway to
improve school discipline.
Ms Jamieson said:
"Teachers have the right to do their jobs without fear
of physical or verbal abuse. Violent and threatening
behaviour is unacceptable in a modern society and will not
be tolerated in our schools.
"We are investing £10 million a year to improve
discipline in schools. The money is being used to implement
the recommendations of the Discipline Task Group, including
the introduction of pupil support bases, additional staff
to supervise pupils between lessons and home-school link
workers.
"These measures will make a real and lasting difference
and create a more positive ethos in every school. This is
vital to the creation of a safe environment where teachers,
school staff and pupils are able to work without fear for
their own safety."
"And in our response to the National Debate on Education
yesterday I made clear our continued commitment to tackling
discipline problems in schools.
Information on violent and anti-social behaviour against
local authority school staff has been collected for the
past four years.
Ms Jamieson said:
"It is important to bear in mind that several local
authorities have told us that the rise in the number of
violent and anti-social incidents is due to improved
reporting and monitoring procedures.
"It is important that we have accurate details of
incidents. If staff now feel more able to report these
incidents in the knowledge that they will be properly
recorded and dealt with then that is a very welcome
development. We will continue to improve the way we collect
data, and ensure that we target resources on improving
school discipline."