WHEN we talk about jobs and how hard we work and the stress involved in what we do, teachers are usually met with jibes about long holidays and short hours. But what’s it really like for the courageous men and women who teach our children and grandchildren? Are the days of The Blackboard Jungle now history, or are we having to live with a new Whiteboard Jungle? It appears that nothing has really changed in our schools. Teachers are met with cheek, violence and insolence from pupils and an uncaring Education authority which does little or nothing to improve matters in West Dunbartonshire, where recently published reports show that Scottish education is no longer world class. Editor
By James Halfpenny, of the EIS teachers’ union
In a 31 day period between August and September this year there were 146 reported incidents of violence and aggression towards staff in West Dunbartonshire schools.
What we know is that these figures are a significant under-representation of the actual attacks. In a seriously under resourced system, many teachers feel that there is no point to reporting these incidents as little is done to prevent such violence reoccurring.
James Halfpenny, of the EIS
A recent survey of teachers in WDC by the EIS showed that 66% experienced these attacks on a daily basis which they say have increased significantly in recent years.
70% have experienced the physical violence of slapping, punching, kicking, hair pulling, biting and objects thrown at them. Verbal threats are of a similar intensity.
Where, in any other area of the Council, would this be tolerated?
Who among our elected representatives and senior managers would come to work in the knowledge that they might be assaulted?
Undoubtedly, the violence of poverty plays a significant part in a child’s response to perceived problems inside and outside of school.
* This is a photograph of a recent assault on a teacher by a Primary school pupil in West Dunbartonshire. Readers can see clearly the bite marks on the teacher’s arm. This type of assault is not uncommon.
Teachers go to their workplaces to teach – to work with young people to help them grow and develop into successful learners and confident individuals, but they cannot be expected to overcome problems that are fundamental to a society that keeps more than a quarter of its children in poverty.
90% of teachers felt that the unmet needs of pupils who require additional support exacerbates violent, aggressive or disruptive behaviour. It is estimated that 1/3 of pupils in our schools have additional support needs.
All teachers surveyed believe that this type of poor behaviour has a serious effect on the learning of every pupil which can make them less focused on their work, more agitated, more nervous, more withdrawn and less happy in class.
It also had the effect of making teachers more stressed leading to increased anxiety or depression.
As a result of this violent and aggressive behaviour, 80% of West Dunbartonshire teachers have considered leaving the profession.
Part of the solution, we believe, can be achieved with increased teacher numbers, increased numbers of support staff, smaller classes and more resources to help those pupils who find it difficult to fit into mainstream education.
Despite all of this, the Labour Administration of West Dunbartonshire Council is about to consider cutting the Education budget by £1.45 million.
This level of deliberate damage to our education system is matched only by the cynical announcement by the SNP/Green Coalition Scottish Government that they have a plan to develop a plan in response to the findings on violence from the Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research team.
The Scottish Education Secretary, Jenny Gilruth, left, said that this research had identified a number of emerging trends in pupils behaviour. If by “emerging” she means that it has been blighting Scottish Education for many years then we may be getting somewhere.
On the other hand, maybe just another PR exercise that does not scratch the surface of this problem.
Well done for highlighting this, Jim.
Now if only the authority and elected representatives would do something about it.
I’m not holding my breath.