North Antrim MLA Colin Crawford
Colin Crawford MLA, Ulster Unionist Education spokesperson, strongly condemns the increasing number of assaults on teachers and teaching staff across Northern Ireland, as revealed in recent figures obtained from the Department of Education.
Crawford said:
“These acts of violence are unacceptable and represent an affront to the dedicated professionals who form the backbone of our education system. Our educators deserve to work in safety and with respect, and I stand firmly in solidarity with those affected.”
The data, covering the years 2022 to 2024, shows a deeply concerning trend:
2022: 376 reported assaults
2023: 603 reported assaults
2024: 698 reported assaults
“Such attacks not only harm individuals but undermine the learning environment for students, disrupt communities, and demoralise staff striving to nurture future generations. No teacher should fear for their safety while serving their students.
“These assaults, which occur across all localities, highlight the urgent need for stronger protections for educators.”
Colin Crawford MLA is calling on the Department of Education, school authorities, and law enforcement agencies to take immediate action to ensure schools remain safe environments for both staff and students. He urges:
A comprehensive review of policies on school safety and staff protection.
Stronger measures to address violent incidents, including clear reporting mechanisms and support for affected staff.
Targeted interventions to address the root causes of such behaviour, including better resources for managing challenging behaviour in schools.
Colin Crawford MLA says he stands in full support of all educators and will continue to advocate for policies that safeguard their well-being.