Kirkintilloch teachers to walk out over ‘failure’ to tackle abuse by violent pupils

Kirkintilloch: Teachers at Kirkintilloch High School are going on strike this week. They’re upset about a culture of violence and abuse from students.

The teachers’ union says management hasn’t done enough to fix the problem. Instead, teachers feel blamed for the issues, even after facing abuse.

The strike starts on Wednesday, February 5. Teachers say there are no real consequences for students who act violently or verbally abuse staff.

The NASUWT union announced that teachers won’t cover for absent colleagues or take on extra duties during the strike. East Dunbartonshire Council is in talks with the union to resolve these concerns.

Mike Corbett from NASUWT said teachers feel ignored by management. They’re told their lessons aren’t engaging enough, despite the abuse they face. He believes this lack of accountability for students is harmful.

In August 2023, the government held an emergency meeting about school violence. This followed several serious assaults on teachers, including a sexual assault in Glasgow.

One teacher was severely injured in a separate incident, leaving him unable to hold his newborn baby.

More than a year after the summit, NASUWT claims little has changed. They feel the council hasn’t acted on the meeting’s key points.

Corbett stated that the union had no choice but to strike due to management’s inaction. They want to protect teachers from further abuse.

Rod McCready from NASUWT explained that refusing to cover classes helps keep teachers safe. They don’t want to risk more violence in a hostile environment.

Dr. Patrick Roach, the NASUWT General Secretary, said they’ve tried to negotiate with the council but haven’t seen any real progress.

Ann Davie, Chief Executive of East Dunbartonshire Council, acknowledged the planned strike and said they are working with the union to address the concerns raised.