Aggressive behaviour remains on the rise in region classrooms
Posted Sep 25, 2024 03:42:43 PM.
Last Updated Sep 25, 2024 03:42:48 PM.
The number of aggressive and violent incidents in the region’s classrooms is on the rise, again.
A total of 826 incidents were reported between April and June, according to a new report presented to the Waterloo Region District School Board on September 23.
Of those, 786 occurred in elementary schools, an increase of 176 from the same period in 2023. Forty incidences took place in secondary schools, up from 25 the year prior and 40 in secondary schools.
The report points to a lack of staffing, highlighting in particular teacher absenteeism as a major factor in the rising rates. It says the disruptions caused by lack of teachers is impacting the delivery of education within the system.
Jeff Pelich, President of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario, Waterloo Region told The Mike Farwell Show the lack of teachers and educators is a major reason there are more incidents involving students, but it’s not because of sick or vacation days.
“Often times, some our lowest wage employees in our board, our educational assistants, our early childhood educators are the ones working directly with these students one-on-one and are being assaulted, sometimes daily,” he said. “Again, they are lowest paid, so it’s really hard to fill these positions.”
Many the problems faced by the education system are multi-faceted, he continued comparing it to the healthcare sector.
“Taking a look at all of the challenges, whether it’s not appropriate funding, not appropriate staff, not appropriate resources is important. It shouldn’t just come down to taking a look at staff absenteeism because that won’t solve the problem. It needs to be a system wide examination.”
Pelich said there used to be wrap-around services that would help take the load off teachers in the classroom but chronic underfunding has eroded those services, leading to long wait-lists and kids left without support.
Unless there is adequate funding that will keep pace with population growth, he said, the problem is only going to compound.
