Principals being bullied and threatened

The behaviour of teachers, parents, and students towards principals makes them three times more likely than other adults to be bullied and twice as likely to suffer violence or threats, a major survey has found.

With female principals more likely still to be victims of threats or violence, the Australian researcher who oversaw the study among primary and second-level principals has said that an independent investigation should be set up to probe the issues.

The study for the Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) and National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) examined a range of health and wellbeing issues, with over 800 responses received.