Schools get tough on attacks on teachers

A rising number of violent attacks on teachers is forcing schools to crack down on child offenders.

More students are being thrown out of school for assaults, according to new figures.

Despite the tough line, many educators are alarmed by the increasing use of knives and other weapons in schoolyard fights.

The Ministry of Education figures for 2002 showed 537 teachers were physically assaulted by students.

Anecdotal evidence suggested that number had increased significantly last year and would continue to rise unless schools took action, the Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA) said.

In addition to the attacks on teachers, 4763 students physically assaulted their classmates. Weapons were used in 229 school attacks.

Auckland, Waikato, and Canterbury had the highest assault rates.

PPTA president Phil Smith said violence was increasing in schools and was exacerbated by greater access to drugs and alcohol.

"New Zealand seems to be more accepting of violence and it [school assaults] looks like it is getting worse," he said.

"Schools reflect the community they are in and not every school is seeing this violence. But there are some dysfunctional secondary schools where not enough is being done to protect teachers or students. Often there is a school culture where violence is not acknowledged."

The PPTA issued an anti-violence toolkit to every secondary school last month.

Mr Smith said a national campaign was required to address the issue of violence in schools.

Smaller classes, more professional development for teachers and greater access to counselling and behavioural programmes for students inside and outside the school were strategies which could effectively reduce violence in schools, he said.

Neil Lancaster, chairman of the Canterbury West Coast principals' association and principal of Mairehau High School, said schools had an obligation to provide a safe environment and violence of any sort was unacceptable.

- NZPA