Rising incidents of violence against school staff in Aberdeen

New figures reveal a concerning trend of violence against educators in Aberdeen schools.

Recent data from a Freedom of Information request has unveiled a troubling reality for educators in Aberdeen, where incidents of physical and verbal abuse are alarmingly high. In 2023 alone, there were 911 reported incidents of violence against council staff across the city, translating to an average of five incidents per day during the school year.

This statistic raises significant concerns about the safety and well-being of those working within the educational system.

Escalating violence in schools

The situation is not isolated to Aberdeen; neighboring regions are also experiencing similar challenges. In Aberdeenshire, 943 incidents of violence were reported against staff in education and children’s services, while Angus recorded an even higher number with 1,682 incidents against council staff.

These figures have led to union representatives labeling the situation as merely “the tip of the iceberg,” indicating that the actual numbers could be much higher due to underreporting.

Union concerns and calls for action

Sean Robertson, an organizer for the GMB union, expressed his dismay at the escalating violence, stating, “These figures are shocking but sadly no longer surprising.” He emphasized that the true extent of violence against school staff is likely underestimated, urging for a change in how incidents are reported and investigated. According to Robertson, many incidents go unreported due to a culture of fear and a lack of support for staff who wish to speak out.

Whistleblowing form controversy

The recent removal of a whistleblowing form designed to report incidents of violence has further complicated the issue. Introduced in March, the form aimed to encourage staff to report violence, but it was reportedly met with resistance. Ron Constable, branch secretary of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), criticized the form as “totally inadequate,” citing fears among teachers of being identified when using it. The council has stated that the form was only used once and was removed following an agreement among stakeholders, but many remain skeptical about the commitment to addressing violence in schools.

As the education committee prepares for a meeting next week, the future of reporting mechanisms for violence against school staff remains uncertain. The need for effective solutions to ensure the safety of educators is more pressing than ever, as the alarming trend of violence continues to unfold in Aberdeen’s schools.