Friday, 18th April 2008 - 12:29CET
MUT demands tough line as violence against teachers grows
The Malta Union of Teachers had demanded tough action from the government over violence against teachers, warning that it will otherwise take action itself.
It issued the warning after several recent cases of violence at Naxxar boys' secondary school, where, it said, the situation had exceeded all limits.
It said that several cases had been reported where teachers’ cars were vandalised. Verbal abuse, with teachers being addressed in a vulgar manner, had become the order of the day.
Some days ago an assistant head was physically attacked by a parent and on Wednesday a student hit a teacher on her back with a wooden duster. On Thursday, another teacher needed treatment at a health centre after being hit on the face by another person. In all these cases, police reports were filed and people are expected to be arraigned in court.
The MUT said cases of violence were also being reported at various other schools.
It said it had long been appealing to the authorities to take up this issue seriously, and the latest reform plan included measures which were to be taken. The Ministry of Education also had a policy document on the subject. But nothing had happened yet.
The union warned that it was now fed up and unless the authorities adopted a zero tolerance policy, as was their responsibility, it would address the matter itself according to all means available to it at law.
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Comments
Same as adults at work, Children that do not behave well at school do so because the school has NO system in place that is geared to the degree of the offence and effective enough to teach them a lesson that they would not forget and/or dare to do it again.
Otherwise, as is documented anywhere and everywhere: Children are fast learners - and they will quickly learn that they can do it again.
Now 69 years old I joined at the Royal Naval school as a 15 year old boy at the then HMS Ganges . I must admit I was not very fond of it at the time . Now though I am glad of the discipline I received including the cane , Having received a good education , served 25 years in the RN and attained the rank of a Chief Petty Officer and had a wonderful career I assure anyone that military discipline does wonders for rebellious teenagers . The HMS Ganges Association has nigh on 4000 of x Ganges boys and each year close to a 1000 boys! meet up at the anual re union and they are of all ages . We have all manner of men with careers after leaving the Service from lawyers , businessmen ,teachers ,priests Admirals and I could go on ad infinitum . So don't say Military discipline is no good and above all else the worlds democracy as it is is all due to Military Discipline .
Is this not also bullying? Arraignments are neither being a deterrent nor sufficient.
Teachers should be able to defend themselves accordingly, especially against aggressive parents. Teachers should not be reduced to punch bags.
Furthermore, such students should sleep in a special army block, disciplined by having to clean and wash the place and their clothes, and their parents pay for their upkeep.
Let's have DISCIPLINE.
They should be called upon by the authorities to make up for damages - this is the law.
Parents who attack teachers must be brought to justice and make up for damages in cash or prison sentences - this is the law.
Discipline .
ill mannered, arrogant,rude and aggressive students should be suspended or expelled from school and placed in special schools properly designed for such students.