A second-level student in Dublin told his pregnant teacher he would “kick the baby out of her” — and was allowed return to class the next day.

A “gangland culture” in some deprived areas is resulting in teachers being stabbed, headbutted, hit with chairs, knocked unconscious, hospitalised for broken limbs, and assaulted even while pregnant by pupils as young as 14.

Teachers have vowed to oppose legal changes which they say could send them to jail if they challenge a school inspector.