**Teachers at Kirkintilloch High School to Strike Due to Protection Failure**
Staff at Kirkintilloch High School in East Dunbartonshire are planning to go on strike this week in response to what they perceive as a failure to address the growing issue of violence and abuse from pupils. The teachers claim to face regular incidents of verbal abuse and violence without sufficient consequences for the students involved, relying heavily on ineffective restorative approaches to behavioural management.
The decision for industrial action follows the launch of the “Our Kids … Our Future” campaign by the Daily Record, aimed at addressing the surge of youth violence across Scotland. Reports have highlighted the dire situation within schools, prompting calls for more robust measures to tackle these challenges within educational settings.
The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT), representing the teachers, has confirmed the commencement of industrial action on Wednesday. Mike Corbett, NASUWT Scotland National Official, expressed that teachers feel unjustly blamed for students’ misbehaviour, creating an environment where repercussions for poor conduct are lacking, failing to prepare pupils adequately for adulthood and neglecting the duty of care towards staff.
In response to incidents, such as sexual assault and physical attacks on teachers, a government summit was convened in 2023 to address school violence, yet progress on implementing key outcomes from the meeting has been slow, as claimed by NASUWT. The union has stressed the urgent need for meaningful engagement from school management to address behavioural issues effectively.
Amid the strike action, teachers will refuse to cover classes for absent colleagues or undertake additional duties to ensure their safety from potential abuse and violence. The NASUWT is urging the employer to take immediate and substantive action in creating a safer environment for both students and staff.
**Summary:**
The teachers at Kirkintilloch High School are preparing for a strike due to the perceived lack of action in addressing violent behaviour from pupils. The issue highlights broader concerns around school violence in Scotland and the urgency to implement effective measures to safeguard both teachers and students. The industrial action underscores the critical need for schools and authorities to prioritise safety and behavioural management to create a conducive learning environment.