A RISE in violent and aggressive incidents in Fife since lockdown has not been brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, a teaching union chief has said.

Graeme Keir, who is publicity officer for Fife EIS, has said that a lack of staff and low level behaviour problems leads to violence and aggression.

Recently published figures have revealed that around 94 per cent of Fife teachers have been assaulted in the last four years while 61 per cent of staff have also been subjected to verbal abuse in the same time period.

Graeme Keir, Fife EIS Publicity Officer, said the causes for the increase were complex.

"Over fourteen years of austerity has seen poverty rocket and support and education budgets slashed," he said.

READ MORE: Fife EIS report 'alarmingly high' violence against teachers

"Our young people are experiencing real distress and mental health issues but support services are overloaded.

"Before the pandemic many schools were moving to more restorative and relational approaches to behaviour management.

"We still support these approaches, in many cases, but it’s clear that the resources have not been put into the system to support the massive rise in pupils needing help and the time-consuming nature of these approaches.

"Class sizes and class commitment must be reduced and specialist services increased. Instead we are threatened with further budget reductions.

"Schools also clearly need an agreed plan of behaviour expectations and sanctions. Headteachers must work with staff to agree these plans and make sure they are supported by parents.

"While schools are still so under-funded exclusion must be a measure available to headteachers.”

Commenting previously on violence, Fife Council's executive director of education, Donald MacLeod, said the issue wasn'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," he said.

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

"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.

"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.”