Teaching staff cuts blamed for rise in student violence

Violence, intimidation, and verbal abuse by students are on the rise and risk getting worse because of cuts to guidance and other roles, a teachers’ union has warned.

The Teachers’ Union of Ireland says school managements are unable or unwilling to deal with indiscipline, which is getting worse because of cuts to teacher numbers, loss of middle management roles such as year heads, and abolition of guaranteed guidance counselling provision.

The TUI is calling for the cutbacks to be reversed and fair sanctions to be available that would allow all students reach their potential.