Violence, threats at primary schools

Primary school principals and their deputies – and particularly the women among them – experienced high levels of violence as a nationwide teacher shortage made the safety and retention of staff even more critical, a report suggests.

Some were scratched and bitten, some were punched and abused, and some were threatened with violence in at-school incidents that were not always confined to pupils lashing out at teachers.

Educators have linked some of the incidents to severely challenged pupils in need of additional support; to the lingering effects of meth addiction on families; and even to the individual effects of foetal alcohol syndrome.

The Offensive Behaviour in Schools report, commissioned by primary teachers’ union NZEI Te Riu Roa, found 41 per cent of respondents experienced actual physical violence against them.

It also found 38 per cent were threatened with violence by pupils, parents – and even colleagues or managers.

NZEI Te Riu Roa president Lynda Stuart said it was time for the problems to be properly addressed. A nationwide teacher shortage and the threats and violence teachers were subjected to made it difficult for schools to retain staff, she said.

‘‘It’s not OK for people to be hit or punched, scratched or bitten.

‘‘Along with their heavy workloads, school leaders are also having to cope with behaviours such as threats of violence, actual violence, bullying, conflicts, gossip and slander.

‘‘Schools need to be safe places for everyone: creative and compassionate spaces where children can meet their potential, and teachers and leaders can do their jobs free of all types of harassment.’’