Sharp rise in school assaults on staff
404 teachers and SNAs had to take leave of absence due to assaults in 2024.
Tonight, on current affairs programme 7 Lá on TG4, new figures obtained from the Department of Education under the Freedom of Information Act, show a 64% increase in the number of teachers and SNAs who had to take leave of absence following assaults in schools.
404 teachers and SNAs had to take leave of absence due to assaults in 2024. 97% of the assaults, or 391 cases, took place in the country's primary schools. 106 primary school teachers and 285 special needs assistants took leave in 2024.
The figures since 2022 are outlined in the table below:
|
Number of Individuals who availed of 'Leave of Absence following Assault' |
||||
|
|
|
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Primary Teacher |
76 |
108 |
106 |
|
|
Primary SNA |
177 |
296 |
285 |
|
|
Post Primary Teacher |
5 |
3 |
7 |
|
|
Post Primary SNA |
2 |
5 |
6 |
|
|
Total |
260 |
412 |
404 |
|
A statement from the Department of Education stated: "The Department established a working group to develop guidelines for schools on the prevention and management of behaviours that challenge, where such behaviour poses imminent danger of serious physical harm to self or others within the school environment,"
"In schools, the board of management is the employer of teachers and other school staff. The board of management is responsible for the health and safety of staff. The department does not employ teachers or special needs assistants in schools."
"The Leave of Absence following Assault Scheme does not cover the medical costs of Individuals who availed of the Scheme. The department has not paid any compensation to individuals who availed of the Leave of Absence following Assault Scheme from 2022-2024, as the department is not the employer."
A survey conducted by the INTO, Primary Teachers' Exposure to Physical Aggression. (May, 2024) revealed that the increase in physical attacks on teachers in primary schools is a cause for great concern.
The INTO survey shows the challenges facing teachers in classrooms but also a deeper crisis in therapeutic and mental health services for children and families across the country.
Of the 440 participants who took part in the survey, 255 of those in the survey reported being physically assaulted but only 6% registered for 'assault leave'.
"The frightening reality is that our schools have become the de facto mental health and therapeutic service providers for children, a role for which they are neither designed, equipped nor funded".
7 Lá will broadcast tonight at at 8p.m. on TG4 & TG4.ie.
