Lessons to be learned on assaults

THE violent and vicious outbursts of feral children against their teachers has been laid bare at a conference.

It is the marker of the reality of what our society has become.

One pregnant educator was told by a pupil he would “kick the baby out” of her as she tried to reason with an out-of-control thug.

This is a wake-up call for our nation. Society has changed and teachers are facing the same violence from poorly-raised children that we have witnessed on our streets.

They are fighting for better conditions but yet again our Government has ignored the concerns of its workers.

There is a constant stream of complaints from those who do the heavy lifting in State jobs in this country but they are constantly told they are lucky to have a job, lucky to be employed.

Ministers speak platitudes at conferences but all the while those who are employed to do the country’s most difficult jobs are ignored.

They are treated like they are pariahs – like they are the problem.

Well, they have had enough. They have taken the hits and the cuts on the chin but have yet to be rewarded for their staying power.

Let this be a warning – it is time to listen to our teachers and our other State workers.

They serve this country, and this country must now treat them with respect.