SAM ROWLANDS, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Fflint Wrecsam is calling on the Welsh Government to tackle bad behaviour in school classrooms.
Mr Rowlands, Welsh Conservative spokesperson for Education, who has previously expressed his concern with the issue in his constituency, was speaking in the Senedd during a discussion on recruitment in the education sector.
He said: “A recent survey by one teaching union showed that 38% of teachers here in Wales have experienced some sort of violence in the classroom in the last 12 months, and a number of teachers are now telling us that one of the significant reasons why they’re leaving the profession is because of violence and terrible behaviour in the classroom.”
He asked the First Minister Rhun ap Iowerth what he will do to tackle these challenges teachers are experiencing in the classrooms, so that they can feel safe doing the job they love to do.
The First Minister said they needed a wraparound approach, giving both pupils and teachers the support that they need, and tackling violence in the school environment is something that was hugely important.
Mr Rowlands added: “I am really concerned that bad behaviour and violence in the classrooms seems to be on the increase as inadequate funding from the Welsh Government is forcing schools to take cost cutting measures which includes cutting staffing levels.
“A prime example is in my Fflint Wrecsam constituency where some teachers at Darland High School, in Rossett, are striking over the negative impact that staffing cuts are having, and will continue to have on workload, behaviour and pupils’ education.
“Teachers and pupils need to feel safe and protected in the school environment and the Welsh Government needs to deal with this challenging issue.”
