Highland school violence saw teachers report 3170 ‘physical incidents’ last year – more than 16 a day – as MSP Edward Mountain says the situation ‘is at breaking point’
MSP Edward Mountain has criticised both the Scottish Government and the Highland Council as the region’s teachers reported experiencing 3170 physical incidents in the last academic year.
A freedom of information (FOI) request revealed reports by teachers rose 548 per cent in four years and resulted in an average of 16.7 reports of incidents in Highland schools every school day.
However, Highland Council did highlight a change in the reporting system for teachers and underlined that they have been “encouraged to report everything, however minor”.
In a Conservative debate in the Scottish Parliament today on the issue of violence in schools, Mr Mountain called for educational reform to protect teachers and said the current system clearly isn’t working.
He stressed that the situation in Highland schools is “at breaking point” and that the environment in which teachers are expected to teach is “totally unacceptable”.
There were 489 “physical incidents” reported in 2019/20 term; 631 in 2020/21; 642 in 2021/22; 1826 in 2022/23; and 3170 in 2023/24 – on top of that there were also 229 “verbal” incidents reported in 2023/24.
Mr Mountain said: “A 548 per cent increase in four years is deeply worrying, and proves that the situation in Highland schools is at breaking point.
“The environment in which teachers are expected to teach and pupils are expected to learn is totally unacceptable. Parents are also worried about the safety of their children in the classroom.
“The system is clearly not working, and we need educational reform to protect teachers and pupils.”
