646 incidents of violence against teachers last year

MORE than three "violent incidents" are carried out towards teachers and school staff in the Capital every day, it was revealed today.

New figures reveal there were 646 violent incidents against staff working in schools in the last academic year – which is the equivalent of more than three per term-time day.

The majority of the incidents took place in the city's special schools, where children have complex needs which often include behavioural problems.

But 85 violent incidents towards staff also took place in the city's mainstream primary schools, while 17 were recorded in council-run nurseries.

Teachers and staff were also subjected to 11 incidents of violence in secondary schools during the same period.

Colin Mackay, Edinburgh secretary of teaching union the EIS, said his members frequently reported incidents of pupils biting, kicking, swearing, shouting and throwing things at them and described the levels of violence as "appalling", urging teachers to report incidents to police.

He said: "There is a report created every time a violent incident takes places – or there ought to be. There are certain schools that don't seem to be producing these reports and that's of some concern.

"What also concerns me is that we have not really had a comprehensive response from the authority to this huge problem."

Education chiefs insist that not every incident which was recorded was a physical attack – it could have been anything from a temper tantrum to swearing.

They also point out that 80 per cent of the reported cases were in the city's special schools

But Mr Mackay said the council should not be playing down the number of incidents by saying "it's only a special school".

He said: "People who work in special schools also have to have a safe and healthy working environment.

The council should not be complacent about this."

Councillor Cameron Rose, the new education spokesman for the Tories, said headteachers should be given more authority to punish children who attack teachers and other school staff.

He said: "The increase in violent incidents over the years is a reflection of a loss of authority for teachers.

"There's no doubt that the way we deal with exclusion works against clarity and good discipline in schools."

Councillor Marilyne MacLaren, city education leader, said: "We take the issue very seriously but the figures have to be put in context.

"Over 80 per cent of these incidents happened in special schools where pupils have serious social problems."

Your Say: What should be done to tackle violence in our schools?

Paula Calder, 54, council worker and ex-teacher, Drummond Street: "Violent crime in general is treated too leniently, and even more so amongst children. They should be cracking down harder on the parents."

Christopher Day, 55, choreographer, Dundas Street: "Children are exposed to too much violence from an early age. They shouldn't be treated like adults."