Teachers at Scots High School to Strike Over Violence from Pupils
Teachers at Kirkintilloch High School plan to strike over rising violence and abuse from students, citing management failures.
Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire, Scotland, Teachers, Violence, Strike
Staff at Kirkintilloch High School are walking out this week. They say there’s regular verbal abuse and violent incidents. Teachers feel there are no real consequences for the students involved.
This strike follows a campaign called Our Kids … Our Future. It aims to address youth violence in Scotland. Reports show the serious issues schools face, and experts say more action is needed.
The NASUWT union, which represents the teachers, confirmed the strike will start on Wednesday. Teachers feel blamed for the bad behavior of students. They say management tells them their lessons aren’t engaging enough.
In August 2023, the government held an emergency summit on school violence. This was in response to reports of assaults on staff, including serious incidents in Glasgow and Motherwell.
One teacher was attacked and left injured in a school corridor. Another teacher suffered a life-changing injury after a student jumped on his back during class.
More than a year after the summit, NASUWT claims little has changed. They say the school and council have not acted on the meeting’s key points.
The union’s representative, Mike Corbett, said they have no choice but to strike. They want to protect teachers from abuse and violence.
During the strike, staff will not cover classes for absent colleagues. They will also not take on extra duties like clubs or trips.
Rod McCready from NASUWT said refusing to cover classes will help protect teachers. In a school with a culture of violence, they don’t want to risk their safety.
Dr. Patrick Roach, NASUWT General Secretary, said they have tried to negotiate with the employer. However, they feel the issue is not being taken seriously.
Ann Davie, Chief Executive of East Dunbartonshire Council, acknowledged the planned strike. She said they are in discussions with the union to resolve the issues raised.