Teacher abuse on the increase - survey

Teacher abuse appears to be on the increase, putting teachers under greater stress, according to a survey carried out by the Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA).

The survey showed at least two secondary teachers were seriously assaulted by pupils every school day, The Dominion Post reported today.

PPTA president Kate Gainsford said some teachers were suffering physical injury and psychological effects from working in a "physically and verbally threatening and stressful environment".

"The [education] ministry's figures only cover suspensions and stand-downs, not actual assaults."

Preliminary findings of the survey of the union's 18,000 members showed teachers were under increasing stress from the threat of assault.

Secondary Principals Council deputy-chairman Terry Collett said little could be done to prevent physical assaults. "There's always the odd kid who freaks out," he said.

Secondary Principals Association president Patrick Walsh said abusive language was becoming more common in schools. "In terms of assault [we are] getting students who barge and push teachers."

The survey results came in the wake of several high profile violent incidents in schools.

Te Puke High School teacher Steve Hose was allegedly stabbed by a pupil in his classroom, three wounds.

A teacher managed to talk down a 15-year-old girl at Hamilton Girls' High School after she allegedly threatened classmates with a knife.

A pupil at Kapiti College threw chairs through five windows in a violent outburst.

Education Minister Anne Tolley said the Government was taking violence in schools very seriously. It had given an extra $15 million over two years that would help thousands of teachers receive extra training, including in effective classroom management.

- NZPA