In a distressing revelation, a Scottish teacher has recently been granted a substantial £180,000 in compensation after falling victim to a violent attack within the classroom. This alarming incident has drawn attention to the escalating issue of classroom violence, prompting Scotland’s largest teaching union, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), to advocate for enhanced health and safety measures to safeguard both school staff and pupils.
Startling data compiled by the EIS, the Scottish Government, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) underscores the severity of the situation, indicating a significant surge in abusive incidents transpiring on school grounds. Shockingly, the figures reveal that one in five female teachers faces attacks on a weekly basis. The distressing report also highlights a concerning case from November last year, where a primary school support worker experienced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after being assaulted a staggering 100 times by a nine-year-old pupil.
As the EIS unveils data on personal injury cases won over the past year, it becomes evident that the landscape of compensation claims for educators has shifted. While slip and trip incidents used to dominate claims, an alarming 40 per cent of the recent payouts are now attributed to attacks on teachers.
Among the distressing cases, a second teacher was granted £28,469 in compensation after enduring three separate assaults, while a third teacher received £6,020 compensation for sustaining a hairline fracture to the jaw following a punch by a pupil. The gravity of these cases prompted the general secretary of EIS to assert that “no one should suffer injury or assault in their workplace,” emphasizing the legal duty of local authorities to ensure a secure working environment for all school staff.
“These cases have resulted in payments of more than £220,000 for the five teachers concerned, with the largest single settlement amounting to a £180,000 payment on account of the very serious injuries sustained by our member,” stated the EIS representative.
Expressing urgency, the EIS called upon local authorities and the Scottish Government to take immediate action to enhance safety measures within schools. They stressed the need for comprehensive measures to make schools genuinely safe, fostering an environment where both staff and pupils can work without the looming threat of assault or injury.
The Scottish Government responded to these alarming findings, acknowledging the need for concerted efforts to address incidents of disruptive behaviour within educational institutions. They announced the forthcoming introduction of a National Action Plan, aiming to outline a comprehensive range of actions to be implemented at both local and national levels.
“The Education Secretary has been clear that more needs to be done to address incidents of behavior, which is why the Scottish Government is bringing forward a National Action Plan. This will set out a range of actions needed at both local and national levels,” stated a representative from the Scottish Government.
As the call for action resonates within the educational community, the pressing need to prioritize health and safety in schools has become undeniable. The compensation awarded to the assaulted teacher serves as a stark reminder that the issue of violence within classrooms requires immediate attention and concrete measures to ensure the well-being of both educators and students. The upcoming National Action Plan offers hope for a comprehensive and collaborative effort to address and rectify the escalating problem of classroom violence in Scotland.
