Attacks on teachers 'need better logging'

Published on Saturday 19 April 2008 10:25

A LOTHIANS MSP is calling for "robust action" over the recording of attacks on teachers.

Tory MSP Gavin Brown has hit out at the Scottish Government after he tried to get figures for attacks in the Lothians over the past five years.

After putting a parliamentary question to Schools Minister Maureen Watt requesting the figures, he was told that the most up-to-date statistics recorded centrally were from 2002-3.

He is now demanding that the Scottish Government produces figures on pupil attacks on teachers more frequently, so the problem can be addressed and action taken. Mr Brown said:

"In opposition, Fiona Hyslop demanded to know what the Executive had to hide by not producing the figures every year. I have to wonder the same about the current administration."

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said it was in the process of working with local authorities to look at the options for collecting the figures on an annual basis.

She said: "Any violent incident within schools is unacceptable.

"The Cabinet Secretary has called for a review of the costs and benefits of returning to an annual collection of statistics on violent incidents against school staff."