Teacher assaults prompt schools to hire security

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The number of assaults on teachers doubled between 2000 and 2008

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 1:27p.m.

Some schools are already hiring security guards to try and stem the tide of student assaults on teachers.

ACC figures released today show school staff received more than $400,000 in compensation, after attacks from students in the year 2008 to 2009.

The number of assaults on teachers doubled between 2000 and 2008, and the Ministry of Education has moved to try and put a stop to the growing number with a new $45 million support scheme.

However president of the Secondary Schools Principals Association, Peter Gall, says some schools have already hired the services of private security firms, and others may be considering it.

“This is not just necessarily in playgrounds – some of the incidents will be happening in class time as well, which is a very concerning and worrying trend,” he says.

The new scheme offers extra training for 5000 teachers, and 12,000 parents will be taught better parenting skills.

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Comments [6]

Clotee Allochuku

13 Apr 2010 12:46p.m.

It is sad that teachers must be concerned about safety from the very students that they mentor. The quality of education is a big concern these days and teachers are always the blame for low test scores. Parents must step forward to discipline their children if they want them educated. If not, then take them home and do the job yourselves.

Kevin

13 Apr 2010 12:28p.m.

It is just another example of how things have slipped away in the last couple of decades.Much of NZ society now runs parallel to happenings and attitudes prevalent in the USA.And education is at the head of the list.Fast disappearing are traits such as courtesy,kindness,respect and common sense. In their places we find rudeness,self centredness,disrespectfulness and virtually a complete absence of care.And the bad news is it will only get worse as the influence of SKY TV, MacDonalds,violent movies etc continues.

Glenn

08 Mar 2010 6:57p.m.

Sounds to me like there is a need to bring back corporal punishment scene as this is a result of it having been abolished, no respect left.

kris

08 Mar 2010 4:30p.m.

well we wouldnt have to hire security if parents did a better job at raising there kids and didnt have so much domestic violence

leemichelea

08 Mar 2010 2:53p.m.

$400,000 in compensation? Whats going on there?

Dan

08 Mar 2010 1:59p.m.

You have got to be kidding me!! I am a parent of children attending a Decile 10 rated school, the funding to the school is so negligible that they barely afford to pay the teachers. Totally dependant on parents to fund the school, now add to that the parents will also have to pay for security? Do you think we are made of money?