Tackling Violence in our Schools

In 2023, Liberal Democrats exposed deeply concerning data about the levels of violence in Scottish schools.

At that time, our education spokesman, Willie Rennie MSP for North East Fife, described it, rightly, as a “national scandal.”

In April 2024, The Herald newspaper published more data showing a further increase of 53 percent in violent incidents in schools in Scotland. 

Then, earlier this year, new data from Police Scotland highlighted that a worrying 194 recorded crime incidents involving an offensive weapon had been reported in schools nationwide. 

Parents, pupils, and staff are concerned about increasing violence in our schools – and this has been given as the reason for recent industrial action taken by the teaching union NASUWT. 

Given that it is a national problem, it requires a national solution. 

The Scottish Government must take a considered, thoughtful, and systematic approach to addressing this multi-layered issue. 

Teachers and staff in school need to be given the resources, support, and training they need to respond effectively and reduce violent incidents in schools across the country. Too often, they feel unsupported and under-equipped to deal with incidents when they arise.

There is also a wider investment aspect to tackling this problem. Schools need more investment in specialist provision, including education psychologists, specialist teachers, and classroom assistants to make classrooms are safe places for pupils to learn and thrive.

It is also important to recognise that the solutions do not lie solely within the school walls. The uptick in violence is also caused by outside factors which include child poverty and a lack of support for children and young people post-COVID.

Scotland must move away from centering punishment and discipline and instead invest in youth work and wider educational reform.

Violence in schools is a serious problem with knock-on effects in terms of health, both mental and physical, attainment, and the effective use of stretched public finances. 

If we don’t get a grip on this issue soon and take more than a sticking plaster, or an overly simplistic disciplinarian approach, then it can and will get worse and our young people will be hampered as they study towards their qualifications and careers. We owe them better than that. 

The solution lies in government, teaching and support staff, families, pupils, and communities working together to ensure that all our schools are the best they can be. The Scottish Government must lead the way, and Liberal Democrats are committed to supporting any viable and effective package of solutions.