Rising rates of violence against teachers – survey

A growing number of teachers are dealing with violence and threats of violence at school, a survey of primary school principals and deputies around the country has found.

The Principal Health and Wellbeing Survey was commissioned by the teachers’ union NZEI and carried out over three years by an Australian Associate Professor of psychology, Phil Riley.

More than 30 per cent of school leaders, who took part in the voluntary survey, said they had been subjected to physical violence, mostly from students.

But a small percentage of the reported attacks – nearly 4 per cent – were by parents.

Women reported more threats and violence than their male colleagues – 48 per cent said they had been physically attacked last year.

NZEI said the situation was worse in special schools where 78 per cent of school leaders had been punched, kicked or otherwise hurt by children, trying to cope with a range of problems and frustrations.

Union president Lynda Stuart said in most cases the violence involved children harmed by meth, foetal alcohol syndrome, and other problems.

“The children aren’t to blame, this is their life, but they come to school with some frustrations or challenging behaviours, and then actually lash out or verbally speak out.”
READ MORE: https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/rising-rates-violence-against-teachers-survey 

Threats and violence against school leaders increase, survey shows
Stuff co.nz 8 May 2019 
The primary educators’ union is alarmed by the findings of a new survey which show school leaders are being subjected to increasing incidents of threatening and violent behaviour.

Worryingly, students with challenging behaviours and additional learning needs aren’t the only perpetrators – about four per cent of respondents claimed to have been physically attacked by parents.

The findings of the New Zealand Primary School Leaders’ Occupational Health and Wellbeing Survey (2016-2018) were released on Wednesday morning.

It found principals, deputies and associates were almost 12 times more likely to be subjected to physical violence compared to the rest of the general population last year – up from seven times in 2016.

Threats and actual violence have increased by 57 per cent and 70 per cent respectively over the survey period.
READ MORE: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/112546604/threats-and-violence-against-school-leaders-increase-survey-shows

Southland school principal warns of ‘hidden crisis’
Stuff co.nz 9 November 2018 
A Southland school principal has warned of a “hidden crisis” facing New Zealand in the form of ill disciplined children.

Edendale Primary School principal David McKenzie said an emerging group of children were entering the school system, or were already in it, who had never understood the word no.

They had little ability to manage difficult situations without resorting to tantrums or violence which disrupted others in the classroom.

Classrooms were based on the foundations of respect  for each other and co-operation with each other.

“If we don’t have those two things in play by the age of five, teachers can’t do their job.
READ MORE: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/108475426/southland-school-principal-warns-of-hidden-crisis

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