WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE, Scotland – The number of aggressive incidents involving children towards school staff in West Dunbartonshire has increased dramatically, sparking concerns about the safety of education professionals. According to data obtained through a Freedom of Information request, there were 723 recorded incidents in the 2022/23 school year, a staggering 313 percent increase from 175 incidents in 2017/18.
The figures, reported by the Clydebank Post, have raised alarm about the daily fear experienced by school staff and the potential underrepresentation of the actual occurrences. The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) union has pointed out that the numbers may not fully capture the extent of the problem.
At present, there are 12,226 school pupils in West Dunbartonshire Council, with 5,281 students identified as having Additional Support Needs (ASN). The school with the highest number of recorded incidents is ASN school Kilpatrick, which reported at least 442 incidents since the 2017/18 school year, including 77 in 2022/23.
The EIS has called for urgent action to address the safety concerns of teachers and staff, particularly in light of a survey revealing that 66 percent of teachers experience daily attacks. The union has emphasized the impact of poverty on the behavior of children and stressed the need for elected representatives and senior managers to intervene.
According to the EIS, 90 percent of teachers believe that unmet needs of pupils exacerbate disruptive behavior, with around a third of students in schools requiring additional support. The union also highlighted the detrimental effect of such behavior on both student learning and teacher well-being, with approximately 80 percent of teachers considering leaving the profession as a result.
In response, West Dunbartonshire Council has expressed its commitment to supporting teachers and staff to ensure a safe work environment, emphasizing the right of all employees to work without fear of violence or threats. The council stated its dedication to reducing physical and verbal abuse and providing employees with the necessary support to address such incidents.