Pupils hit and kick teachers

A rise in student aggression is casting a shadow over classrooms.

Teachers are reporting near-daily reports of pupils hitting, kicking, and throwing objects at them. There are also frequent incidences of teachers being psychologically harassed by pupils.

This is according to a recent article in the Teachers’ Association’s magazine Skúlablaðið, written by Teachers’ Association committee member Eyðbjartur S. Skaalum.

 >> SEE ALSO Teachers are exhausted

“This type of harassment puts some teachers under enormous pressure, making their jobs difficult to handle.”

He adds that this type of violent behaviour was virtually non-existent when he started working as a teacher in 2009.

 >> SEE ALSO Pupil well-being is decreasing

“Today’s pupils have become much more disrespectful toward their teachers.”

He adds that the pupils who display this type of behaviour typically struggle with mental health issues.

 >> SEE ALSO Teacher: all pupils should have access to a psychologist

“Simply transferring such pupils to special classes contradicts the very mission of our inclusive schools. We need systemwide changes.”

He calls on teachers and schools to improve their internal communication.

 >> SEE ALSO Parents overburden teachers with untimely questions

“Teachers who experience such harassment must not hesitate to inform their school management, and the schools need to implement the necessary changes immediately,” he says.

“It is not the teachers’ job to raise children to ensure that pupils behave. If a teacher is too scared to contact the parents, the school management needs to step in.”

Read the Faroese version of this article here.

More Faroese News in English.