David Henderson at the Scottish conference of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers
DONALD DEWAR has been accused of complicity in the alleged escalation of pupil violence towards teachers.
Tino Ferri, Scottish member of the union’s UK executive, said the First Minister had objected to the number of exclusions but failed to put in alternatives because of the cost.
Mr Ferri said: “The only way to deal with violent pupils is to exclude them. Exclusion will send the right signals to violently disruptive pupils. The inclusive policy sends the wrong signals.”
The union, the smallest in Scotland with around 3,000 members, reinforced its reputation as the most outspoken on classroom indiscipline and violence against teachers.
It wants a crackdown on pupils who deliberately sabotage the education of others. Any pupil and parent who make unfounded and malicious allegations against teachers will be challenged in the courts.
In a further move, it is demanding that schools carry out “risk assessments” of pupils involved in violence towards teachers.
Mr Ferri said teachers had been “fair game” for too long. It was not part of their job to “get a good kicking from time to time”.
