Scottish schools are grappling with a significant escalation in pupil violence, as indicated by teaching unions, behaviour experts, and opposition politicians.
According to a forthcoming NASUWT union survey, 44% of Scottish teachers reported physical abuse or violence in the past year, while 90% faced verbal abuse.
Classroom behaviour in Scotland has notably deteriorated, with the country also seeing higher student absenteeism rates than England.
In the 2023-24 school year, over 31.4% of Scottish pupils were absent for more than 10% of sessions, a stark contrast to 19.2% in England.
Concerns escalated as NASUWT members at Kirkintilloch High School in East Dunbartonshire initiated industrial action to protest against persistent abusive behaviour from students, including regular misogynistic attacks on female staff. This issue, however, is not confined to a single institution.
Tom Bennett, an independent behavioural adviser to the UK Department for Education, noted that the situation in Scottish schools is significantly worse compared to England, which has begun to address its behavioural climate more seriously.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing behavioural issues, with a marked increase in violent and aggressive student conduct, according to Andrea Bradley, General Secretary of EIS, Scotland’s largest teaching union.
She highlighted that the rise in pupils with additional support needs (ASN), which now exceeds 40%, coupled with inadequate resources, contributes to unmet needs that aggravate classroom disturbances.
The Scottish Government, under Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth, released an action plan last August addressing pupil behaviour, with further updates expected.
New measures include clearer local authority policies on managing challenging behaviours, as well as updated guidance on gender-based violence and bullying.
The debate over Scotland’s educational approach continues, with some critics arguing against the prevalent use of restorative behaviour management methods, which involve structured discussions but often lack stringent consequences for severe disruptions.
Calls for a more robust national policy on student discipline are growing louder, with demands for clearly defined unacceptable behaviours and potential exclusions as a last resort.
Amidst these challenges, the SNP faces criticism for not meeting its recruitment targets for additional teachers, further straining the educational system.
