The number of assaults on teachers and teaching staff in NI schools has almost doubled over the last two years, the Department of Education has confirmed.
In total, some 1,677 assaults were reported to both the Education Authority (EA) and the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) – who monitor controlled and Catholic maintained schools – between 2022 and 2024.
The data, provided by the Department in response to an Assembly Question from Ulster Unionist MLA Colin Crawford, revealed there had been an 86% increase in assaults on staff across that period.
“These acts of violence are unacceptable” – Colin Crawford MLA
In 2022, 376 reports were received by authorities. That figure rose to 603 the following year, with a further increase to 698 in 2024.
The statistics were further broken down by location, with the largest number (991) occurring in the ‘Locality East’ area, which covers Belfast, Ards and North Down, Lisburn and Castlereagh, and Newry, Mourne and Down council areas.
Some 416 assaults were recorded in Locality North (Antrim and Newtownabbey, Mid and East Antrim, Causeway Coast, and Glens and Derry City and Strabane) over the last two years, while 270 were reported in Locality South West (Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon, Mid Ulster, Fermanagh and Omagh).
In both the South West and North areas, the number of assaults more than doubled, rising by 161% in the North and 137% in the South West. In the East, an increase of 52% was recorded.
Mr Crawford said the figures marked a “deeply concerning trend”.
“These acts of violence are unacceptable and represent an affront to the dedicated professionals who form the backbone of our education system,” he said.
“Our educators deserve to work in safety and with respect, and I stand firmly in solidarity with those affected.
“Such attacks not only harm individuals but undermine the learning environment for students, disrupt communities, and demoralise staff striving to nurture future generations. No teacher should fear for their safety while serving their students.
Ulster Unionist MLA Colin Crawford
“These assaults, which occur across all localities, highlight the urgent need for stronger protections for educators.
“School authorities, and law enforcement agencies should take immediate action to ensure schools remain safe environments for both staff and students.
“There should be a comprehensive review of policies on school safety and staff protection, stronger measures to address violent incidents, including clear reporting mechanisms and support for affected staff.
“Targeted interventions should also be implemented to address the root causes of such behaviour, including better resources for managing challenging behaviour in schools.”
The Department of Education has been approached for comment.
It comes after teachers earlier this month rejected Education Minister Paul Givan’s offer of a new 5.5% pay deal for the 2024/25 academic year.
Members of four of the five main unions failed to back the offer, which arrived late on a Friday evening, with unions citing concerns over the minister reinforcing the need for stability in the profession and calling them to refrain from industrial action in the future.
Teaching employers have said they are disappointed that the pay offer has not been ratified, and are calling on trade unions to cease their intended industrial action and bring forward proposals to resolve the dispute.
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News Catch Up – Monday 17 February