Labour education spokesperson Paul O’Kane and First Minister John Swinney.
by Bill Heaney
Scottish Labour has accused First Minister John Swinney of “sitting on his hands” while violence in Scottish schools reached crisis point.
New figures obtained by Scottish Labour show the number of violent incidents recorded in Scottish schools has more than doubled since the last Scottish Parliament election.
Since 2021-22, the number of violent incidents recorded in secondary schools soared by 182 per cent while the number in primary schools rose by 113 per cent.
The number of violent incidents recorded in Scotland’s secondary schools is now more four times higher than pre-pandemic levels, while the number of incidents in primary school has nearly trebled.
Scottish Labour has pledged to tackle this crisis and provide the leadership that has been missing in Scottish education under the SNP.
Scottish Labour’s plans to tackle violence and raise standards in schools include a new charter to support schools in dealing with behaviour, an increase to the number of campus cops, and a ban on mobile phones in classrooms.
Scottish Labour Education spokesperson Paul O’Kane said “John Swinney sat on his hands while violence in Scotland’s schools reached crisis point.
“Even in Primary Schools, violence is far too common – causing chaos for kids and putting pressure on teachers.
“Scottish Labour will fix the SNP’s mess and tackle this crisis at last.
“We will provide the leadership that has been sorely missing under the SNP and provide schools and teachers with the backing they need to crack down on violence and bullying.
“From banning phones in classrooms to boosting the number of campus cops, we will make schools safe places to learn and give kids the education they deserve.
“In May we have a chance to get rid of this failing SNP government and elect a Scottish Labour government that will get the basics right.”
Number of violent recorded incidents in schools:
|
2019/20 |
2021/22 |
2024/25 |
% Change: 24/25 vs 19/20 |
% Change: 24/25 vs 21/22 |
|
|
Primary schools |
9316 |
12,075 |
25,770 |
177% |
113% |
|
Secondary schools |
1668 |
2413
|
6809 |
308% |
182% |
Source: Scottish Labour FOI
Notes – Argyll and Bute, Fife and Highland Councils noted changes to their reporting mechanisms in this time.
Scottish Labour has pledged to:
- Establish a National Charter on Behaviour and Standards, providing national leadership on discipline in schools, empowering head teachers and setting out a clear pathway of consequences.
- Expand the number of campus cops as part of our plans to restore community policing.
- Introduce Family Network Coordinators, who will act as attendance officers, as part of new family support hubs in primary schools.
- Create a national attendance register to help address high levels of school absences.
- Improve workforce planning so that support staffing meets the needs of pupils and giving schools funding certainty so they can offer teachers and education staff permanent or long-term contracts to address the scandal of qualified teachers being unable to find work.
- Ban mobile phones in classrooms so that schools are safe and calm places for learning once again.
- Back a UK-wide ban on social media for under 16s to protect young people.