Almost 90% of N.S. teachers believe school violence on the rise: survey
Global News
A new survey from the Nova Scotia Teachers Union indicates most teachers believe school violence is on the rise, and more than half have been the victim of a violent act or threat.
A new survey from the Nova Scotia Teachers Union indicates most of the province’s teachers believe school violence is on the rise, and more than half have been the victim of a violent act or threat while at work.
In a release, the union said 87 per cent of teachers and educational specialists who responded to the survey believe school violence increased since 2018, and 92 per cent said they’ve witnessed violence first-hand at school.
As well, 55 per cent of respondents said they were the victim of a violent act or threat while at work.
“All too often I receive phone calls and emails from teachers who are upset and concerned about a violent event they witnessed or experienced at school,” said NSTU president Ryan Lutes in a statement.
“Incidents between students are becoming more frequent, more severe and alarmingly more dangerous. Teachers and school staff members are often kicked, bit, hit, punched, threatened and verbally abused.
“Unfortunately, these incidents frequently go unaddressed or are characterized as just part of going to school. This is unacceptable.”
The online survey was conducted between March 27 and April 13, and a total of 2,534 NSTU members completed it. There are more than 9,000 total NSTU members in the province.
A further 52 per cent of respondents said they were “very concerned” about the current level of violence in their school, and 38 per cent said they were “somewhat concerned.”