Yousaf denies inaction on school violence after steep rise in incidents
Humza Yousaf has denied his government is not taking enough action on school violence after figures revealed a 53.6 per cent increase from pre-pandemic incidents.
The First Minister said the Scottish Government was “absolutely concerned” at the rising levels of violence in schools across the country but said work was under way with local government umbrella body Cosla to develop further strategies.
Figures showed 97,372 reports of violence and aggression in Scotland’s schools between 2018-19 and 2022-23, including a further 23,010 logged in the current school year up to March 2024.
In the last full school year, 29,180 incidents were recorded by schools, up 53.6 per cent from the 18,993 in 201819, the last full year before the Covid-19 pandemic.
The figures could also be higher, with five local authorities, including Scotland’s largest – Glasgow City – failing to provide the data.
A breakdown of the figures showed the vast majority of incidents were pupil violence against teachers and school staff, with local authorities including incidents such as physical and verbal aggression, throwing objects, sexual harassment and damage to property.
Asked about the figures during a visit to NHS Fife’s National Treatment Centre in Kirkcaldy, the First Minister said: “Of course we’re concerned – we are absolutely concerned – about the rise in violence in schools.”
Responding to opposition claims that action is not coming fast enough, he said: “I would disagree with that.
“The Education Secretary has held a number of summits, met with trade unions, met with teaching staff, and others in relation to how we can deal with this issue.
“In terms of action we’ve taken, as well as the summits, of course there has been the launch of the tackling gender-based violence in schools framework, as well as of course additional funding for training for new support staff.
“But of course, we are working with Cosla, ultimately, who have responsibility for education locally to develop that joint action plan to tackle what we’re seeing.”