9 de agosto de 2011

UK, Wales: Number of pupils excluded for attacks on school staff rises by 50%

by Gareth Evans, Western Mail   Wales Online.com

VIOLENCE in Welsh classrooms appears to be soaring with the number of pupils excluded for assaulting school staff having increased by 50% in six years.



Figures obtained by the Welsh Conservatives reveal there were 393 more pupil exclusions due to assault or violence against staff in 2009-10 than in 2004-05.
There were 1,186 reported permanent and fixed-term exclusions for serious incidents last year, compared to the 793 handed out in 2004-05.
The figures were described as “incredibly worrying”, with the Tories claiming they could lead to teachers giving up on the profession.
Though the circumstances of each exclusion are not detailed, one teaching union said its members have been bitten and hit.
Overall, 18 of Wales’ 22 local education authorities have seen an increase in the number of pupils suspended for violence towards staff in the past six years.
Shadow Education Minister Angela Burns said the issue should be tackled both at government and community level.
“If parents and teachers work together to create safe and stable environments, everyone will benefit. The Welsh Labour government needs to work closely with schools to make sure that’s happening,” she said. “Where assaults on staff have dropped, lessons should be learned. If a pupil is temporarily excluded for assault I would also expect an appropriate programme to be undertaken by them before they are re-included.
“While this kind of behaviour is obviously not a problem in every classroom – or every school – where it happens we are also in danger of losing talented teachers from the profession. This is a big issue on a number of levels – and it needs to be controlled.”
An assault on a member of staff is recorded by the Welsh Government only if it leads to an exclusion from the school. A pupil who has been excluded twice is recorded in two separate incidents.
Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies said teachers and children have a right to expect their schools to be safe.
“This rise in exclusions is incredibly worrying – not just for the obvious necessity of teacher safety – but for pupil success as well. Where staff are reaching their full potential, children are plainly going to reap the benefits,” he said.
“New violent crime reduction powers came into effect here last year and while that’s very welcome it’s quite clear there is an awful lot of work to do just to get this problem back to 2004 levels.”
During 2009-10, Cardiff and Caerphilly had the highest number of exclusions and Anglesey and Ceredigion the lowest.
And the total number of pupils permanently excluded from Welsh schools has fallen for the sixth consecutive year.
Dr Philip Dixon, director of education union ATL Cymru, said assaults against school staff were unacceptable.
“There needs to be a zero tolerance attitude towards violence against nurses in hospitals, railway staff on trains and teachers in schools,” he said.
“There is never any excuse for violence towards those who are trying to help others. The figures are disturbing and show variation year on -year and between local authority.
“Obviously, some local authorities are developing policies to help reduce their number of exclusions – but they need to be able to share them with others in Wales.”
Dr Dixon said a “small minority” of parents need to take more responsibility for the conduct of children who have been known to bite and hit ATL members.
“It is completely unacceptable that there is even one incident of this kind and a small minority of parents need to buck their ideas up and understand that they are part of the resolution,” he said.
Elaine Edwards, general secretary of Welsh teaching union Ucac, said violent pupils need specialist help.
“Unless they receive the necessary support while still of school age, they may become violent adults in society,” she warned.
“Ucac believes that expert support is crucial and such a responsibility should not be placed on school staff alone. No-one should have to fear assault or face violent outbursts in schools.”
A spokeswoman for the Welsh Government said it is determined to stamp out violence from schools.
“We have introduced new powers and duties for school discipline, parental responsibility and exclusion. These include revised guidance on the use of force to control or restrain pupils,” she said.
“We do not tolerate violence and aggression in schools and colleges, against teachers or pupils. It is important that schools are safe places to be to ensure the best possible educational environment for our young people.”

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