Violence and abuse of teachers in Northern Ireland on the rise, new NASUWT research shows

New research examining the scale of pupil behaviour concerns among teachers in Northern Ireland, published today by the NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union has found that the overwhelming majority of teachers say verbal and physical abuse from pupils has increased significantly in the last 12 months.

More than six in ten (62%) cited poor socialisation skills following Covid restrictions as being the greatest driving factor behind the rise in poor pupil behaviour. Ineffectively implemented restorative behaviour programmes in schools and colleges and a lack of appropriate policies and procedures to deter unacceptable behaviour were the next most commonly cited factors behind the increase in poor behaviour.

37% of respondents reported experiencing violence or physical abuse from pupils in the previous 12 months. Teachers reported having items thrown at them, being bitten, spat at, headbutted, punched and kicked.

90% reported receiving verbal abuse, including being sworn at, threatened and targeted with racial or sexual insults.