Teachers call for more supports to deal with aftermath of school assaults 

Delegates at the ASTI annual conference in  Killarney unanimously passed a motion seeking a review of the policies of the Department of Education in regard to physical aggression in the workplace. Picture: Don MacMonagle

Teachers are calling for more supports to be put in place if staff are injured following physical aggression in the classroom.

A motion seeking a review of the policies of the Department of Education in regard to physical aggression in the workplace was unanimously passed at the Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland (ASTI) annual conference in Killarney.

This comes as teachers and special needs assistants (SNAs) have been raising concerns following a string of incidents, including one which saw a special education teacher in Cork face intense surgeries following a classroom assault. Sophie Cole, from Carrigaline, was diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome, a chronic pain disorder for which there is no cure, after her left hand was slammed into a steel-reinforced table while at work.

The motion was put forward by Ray Nolan, who said hundreds of teachers had to take leave of absence following assaults in schools last year.

Speaking at the conference, Mr Nolan said it was “imperative” that “appropriate measures” were put in place to support teachers who have been assaulted in their workplace, or have suffered injuries as the result of aggression.

"This change is essentially to support the wellbeing and financial stability of educators," he said, adding if a teacher had been assaulted, "their sole focus should be on their recovery". 

They should not be in a position where they can't pay their mortgage or the rent.

Figures previously released to the Irish Examiner show more than 1,300 teachers and SNAs have taken assault leave since 2020 after sustaining a physical injury during the course of their duties.

Mr Nolan said the motion was based on the amendments Ms Cole had been calling for over the last couple of months.

Among the measures sought by the teachers are immediate financial assistance to cover expenses relating to medical bills, therapy sessions and medication, as well as assault leave for teachers for the duration of their medically certified leave.

They also wish to see a comprehensive support system put in place for the teachers who have become victims of violence, as well as research on the correlation between mental health issues and physical escalation by students.

Speaking in favour of the motion, another teacher pointed out they did not object to students with additional needs “getting their education” but not everyone “learns the same way or at the same rate”, and necessary supports should be put in place.

It was also pointed out as part of the assault scheme, workers must confirm they have been assaulted, and some teachers would be reluctant to describe “unintentional incident” as assaults.

The teacher pointed out the need to expand the assault scheme to include injuries suffered through working with students, which would not “fall under the definition of assault”.