Janice R. Andrews
Unsettling results from a new Teacher Tapp poll show that student behavior in English classrooms has significantly declined. This year, nearly one in five instructors stated that they had been physically assaulted by students, bringing attention to a widespread problem that affects educational establishments.
Teachers surveyed said that disruptive behaviors including swearing, spitting, and even hurling chairs had become alarmingly widespread. There has been a concerning uptick in the number of fighting, pushing, and shoving occurrences reported by primary and secondary instructors when compared to previous years.
Lorraine Meah, a seasoned elementary school teacher, reports seeing hitherto unseen acts of hostility even among young children in the nursery and reception grades, with some displaying “dangerous tendencies” such as throwing chairs. In a similar vein, Zak Copley, a teacher in the Midlands, describes wild classroom experiences that include student fights that end in property destruction.
It seems that the Covid-19 outbreak has made these behavioral problems worse; instructors have been reporting increasing levels of abuse and aggression since the pandemic began. As a result, the Department for Education has given behavior hubs £10 million to help schools deal with these kinds of issues.
To address the issue, individual schools are also taking the initiative. Karl Mackey, the head teacher of St. John Fisher Catholic Academy in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, has spearheaded the implementation of a new behavior policy. The policy calls for actions like implementing cell phone prohibitions, limiting movement within school grounds, and awarding good attendance.
The adjustments have been well received by the students at St. John Fisher. Tamika, a Year 9 student, has noticed a reduction in disruptive conduct and an improvement in the dynamics of the classroom. Mackey highlights the school’s resolve to minimize suspensions by concentrating on interventions meant to promote good behavior.
The magnitude of the task nevertheless seems overwhelming in spite of their attempts. Concerns about teachers’ safety are also brought up by the poll, which included startling accounts of verbal and online harassment from parents and students. In order to address parent-on-teacher abuse, the head teachers’ organization NAHT has started campaigns and emphasized the urgency of taking immediate action.
In order to address the underlying causes of these behavioral disorders, experts and union officials emphasize the significance of comprehensive behavior management tactics and increasing support for mental health services. There is an increasing need for consistent efforts to guarantee the safety and wellbeing of both children and educators as the education sector struggles with these issues.
