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Survey reveals teachers' concerns | Survey reveals teachers' concerns |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Discipline in the classroom is a key concern of teachers, a Scottish Executive report has revealed. | Discipline in the classroom is a key concern of teachers, a Scottish Executive report has revealed. |
The document, one of the most comprehensive surveys on discipline, was made public by Education Minister Peter Peacock on Monday. | The document, one of the most comprehensive surveys on discipline, was made public by Education Minister Peter Peacock on Monday. |
It confirmed that teachers were concerned about the policy of sending children with behaviour problems to mainstream schools. | It confirmed that teachers were concerned about the policy of sending children with behaviour problems to mainstream schools. |
However, the Conservatives said the survey is vague and lacks credibility. | |
Violent attacks on teachers in Scotland's schools are rare, according to the report. | Violent attacks on teachers in Scotland's schools are rare, according to the report. |
However, staff noted distractions caused by so-called low level indiscipline, including youngsters failing to turn up with a pencil, chatting and swinging on chairs. | However, staff noted distractions caused by so-called low level indiscipline, including youngsters failing to turn up with a pencil, chatting and swinging on chairs. |
The Scottish Tories said the report was "woolly and unreliable" as it was only a sample survey of teachers' perceptions of discipline problems. | |
Violence is, fortunately, still rare but always unacceptable Peter PeacockEducation Minister | |
Mr Peacock said: "This is the most comprehensive survey of discipline in Scottish schools ever carried out. | Mr Peacock said: "This is the most comprehensive survey of discipline in Scottish schools ever carried out. |
"The survey was jointly designed and commissioned by the executive and the teachers' unions, headteachers associations and local authorities. | "The survey was jointly designed and commissioned by the executive and the teachers' unions, headteachers associations and local authorities. |
"Violence is, fortunately, still rare but always unacceptable. The survey suggests that the modern interventions we have been promoting in schools - such as staged intervention and restorative practices - do work and are key to promoting positive behaviour." | "Violence is, fortunately, still rare but always unacceptable. The survey suggests that the modern interventions we have been promoting in schools - such as staged intervention and restorative practices - do work and are key to promoting positive behaviour." |
Key findings of the survey included that headteachers - and the majority of teachers, additional support staff and pupils - considered pupils to be well-behaved in the classroom and around the school. | Key findings of the survey included that headteachers - and the majority of teachers, additional support staff and pupils - considered pupils to be well-behaved in the classroom and around the school. |
The key behaviour issue for schools continues to be the 'drip drip' effect of low level indiscipline such as talking out of turn, making unnecessary noise and hindering other pupils. | The key behaviour issue for schools continues to be the 'drip drip' effect of low level indiscipline such as talking out of turn, making unnecessary noise and hindering other pupils. |
There are occasional, more serious, aggressive incidents which are more likely to occur in corridors and playgrounds than the classroom. | There are occasional, more serious, aggressive incidents which are more likely to occur in corridors and playgrounds than the classroom. |
'Controversial proposal' | |
Mr Peacock announced an action plan aimed at reducing discipline problems, which will see an executive-funded team working in schools. | |
The teaching union, EIS, and the Headteachers Association Scotland endorsed the initiative. | |
Fiona Hyslop MSP claimed it had taken up some of the Scottish National Party's proposals. | |
However, the Nationalist MSP said there were also "some provocative challenges" such as providing the same support staff for special needs children and badly-behaved children. | |
"This controversial proposal is concerning and needs to be fully debated and backed up with more staff and training if parents are to accept this," she said. |