National plan to tackle violence in schools will not work, MSPs tell minister

The Scottish Government’s national action plan to tackle violence in schools will not work, MSPs have told the Education Secretary.

Jenny Gilruth set out some of the steps she is taking to tackle the issue, as unions warn of a sharp rise in classroom violence.

But Labour and the Conservatives said the steps taken by the Government are not enough.

Ms Gilruth said she was “deeply concerned” about a poll by NASUWT that found female teachers are far more likely to be attacked by pupils than their male counterparts.

The minister said online content and the “rise of the far right” are having a “detrimental impact” on the behaviour of young people.

She pledged those breaking the rules will face consequences – something she said is an “essential” part of a “supportive learning environment”.

Ms Gilruth said more information on her plans for consequences for badly-behaved pupils will be published before the summer recess.

She said £2 million will be invested to tackle weapons in schools, including knives, alongside £29 million for additional support needs (ASN).

During a statement at Parliament, she said: “Like many across the chamber, I was deeply concerned by the recent NASUWT and EIS findings on the experiences of female teachers and staff, which echo our own Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research.

“I would have to say, as a female politician, that it is sadly also reflective of some of the types of experiences encountered by women in politics in 2025.

“That is because our classrooms, in my view, can act to hold up a mirror to who we are as a society.

“We should not divorce wider societal shifts from behaviour in Scotland schools, therefore.

“Gender-based violence should not be tolerated in our society.”

Miles Briggs, education spokesman for the Tories, questioned whether Ms Gilruth’s strategy to deal with violence will work.

He said: “At a time when teaching unions are reporting record levels of violence in our classrooms and teachers are requesting self-defence training, I continue to have deep concerns that this plan and what has been outlined today is not going to end violence in our classrooms and schools.”

Pam Duncan-Glancy, Labour’s education spokeswoman, told the minister school support must be “systemic” as she warned against “sticking plasters”.

She said: “Staff are exhausted, stressed, under-resourced and are being asked to deliver a national behaviour strategy while ASN provision is stretched and wider support services have vanished.

“In too many cases, violence in schools has become expected, just seen as part of the job.”

She said the minister’s action plan is “too little, too late”.

Ms Gilruth said she understands “we have to get this right” as she pledged to work with opposition parties on the issue.

She said council umbrella group Cosla, as well as trade unions, had helped draft the plans.