4 days ago
Union boss right to slam 'epidemic' of violence in classrooms as he steps down
The retiring boss of Scotland's main teaching union is right to describe the rising tide of violence in our classrooms as an 'epidemic'. In his final speech as EIS president, Allan Crosbie calls for urgent action to tackle the growing number of attacks, especially on female teachers.
As the Daily Record has highlighted in the Our Future campaign, some schools have become a warzone for kids and staff. Violent incidents are often filmed and posted on social media platform for 'likes' by kids addicted to the buzz of online attention. But there is growing concern over attacks on female teachers in particular.
Online creeps like Andrew Tate make millions by promoting hatred of women in sick online posts. Most people have the good sense to ignore these imbeciles.
But for thousands of vulnerable and troubled boys, men like Tate are heroes. This online culture of disrespect has clearly led some boys to think it is ok to lash out at female teachers.
There is no easy solution to this problem, which permeates our whole culture. But there must be zero tolerance shown when teachers are violently assaulted. The mantra of inclusion has resulted in there being very little that teachers can do to punish wrong-doers. And this has led to a breakdown in discipline in many schools.
There needs to be a reset on that issue. Schools need to be enabled to carry out proper and lasting punishments on the tiny minority of kids who think violence is acceptable. Any attack on a teacher should be met with a swift expulsion. And our political leaders need to show some urgency in dealing with this crisis in school behaviour.
Crime crackdown
John Swinney is right when he says gangsters in Scotland should face 'relentless' investigation. Now the First Minister needs to put his words into action and make sure Police Scotland has all the tools it needs to do the job.
Violent crooks running multi-million-pound criminal empires are running amok and that can't go on. As the shocking double assassination in Spain proves, such gangs won't hesitate in using firearms in front of innocent bystanders.
Organised crime reaches across our country and seeps into even the quietest communities. Crooks use multiple front businesses to launder their cash, and rely on white collar professionals looking the other way to legitimise their outgoings.
It weakens our institutions and hurts those who play by the rules. Scotland must take a tough stance against violent gangsters. Organised crime is a threat to us all.
