Fife EIS report 'alarmingly high' violence against teachers

Figures released today reveal that 94 per cent have been subjected to violence and aggression and 61 per cent have been assaulted over the past four years.

And almost half (48 per cent) of respondents to the Fife Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) survey said that incidents - such as being threatened, sworn at, pushed, shoved, struck with objects, kicked, spat on and punched - were a daily occurrence in their school.

READ MORE: Majority of violence against Fife Council staff is in schools

The union's publicity officer, Graeme Keir, said: “The publication of these figures shows there is a real and sustained crisis in many Fife schools.

"Violence and aggression is completely unacceptable in our schools and teachers have been working flat out to address the issues.

"However, all teachers know that action plans and devoted teachers cannot alone alleviate these problems unless there is also an increase in staffing."

Fife EIS said the number of violent and aggressive incidents across the Kingdom's schools is alarmingly high. (Image: Newsquest) The Fife local association of the EIS - the biggest trade union for teachers in Scotland - surveyed its members as many said there has been a sharp rise in violence and aggression in schools since the pandemic.

As well as being pushed and shoved, struck with an object, kicked, punched, bit and spat on, teachers said they were also subjected to threats, swearing, mockery and behaviour motivated by sexism.

Both Fife Council and the Scottish Government have announced action plans but the union said there are "clear problems in some schools" that are not being addressed.

READ MORE: Ban on mobile phones in Fife schools to help combat violence

Jane McKeown, Fife EIS secretary, explained: “We have made some progress but these survey results show clearly that much work is still to be done, and the work is urgent.

"The number of violent and aggressive incidents across Fife is alarmingly high, and increasing, and there are some schools where this is the case for some time.

"There are clear problems in some schools which don’t seem to be being addressed quickly enough.

"Work shouldn’t hurt and education must be well funded to match the promises we’ve made to our young people and parents.”

The union said that the council’s own figures show more than 30 violent and aggressive incidents happening daily across all their schools and early learning centres.

And, worryingly, much of the trouble is going unreported as staff cannot find the time when it happens so regularly.

Mr Keir said: "The education service has suffered over 14 years of cuts so there were not enough staff to cope with the impact of the pandemic.

"Fife already has one of the lowest per head spends on education and we are threatened with more cuts next financial year.

"We are asking that Fife Council finds the resources to increase specialist services for children and young people in need.

"I’d ask everyone reading this to write to their local councillor and MSP asking for more resources in schools and for young people in the community.”

Donald MacLeod, Fife Council's executive director of education, said:  “This issue isn’t unique to Fife.  We know that teachers and school communities across Scotland are concerned about violent incidents in schools and it’s something we’re taking very seriously.   

"Any form of violence is unacceptable and we’re committed to safe working practices and training for our staff. 

"Some of our schools are facing specific challenges and we give targeted support to schools where or when it’s needed.

“Across our schools a huge amount of work is underway to tackle violence and we're working with partners including police, NHS Fife and the Fife Health and Social Care Partnership. 

"Together, we are putting together a number of different programmes, practices and actions in place.

“The safety and wellbeing of all our children and staff in every Fife school is a priority and we will continue to work with all our school communities to make sure our staff and young people have a positive experience at school.”