Violence and significant misbehaviour incidents in schools in Wales have more than doubled in the last three years.
Local authorities received 6,446 violent incident reports from schools in 2023–2024, compared to 4,714 incidents the previous year. A NASUWT survey found that 79% of respondents said verbal and physical abuse from pupils had affected their morale. Additionally, 65% reported increased stress levels, and 55% said the abuse had made them consider leaving the profession.
The latest data shows that just over 1,000 teachers left in 2023. That’s up from 756 in 2022, 603 in 2021, and 414 in 2020.
Commenting after speaking out on the need to improve behaviour in schools, Janet said:
“I wish to praise all school staff for the work they undertake in sometimes uncertain and dangerous environments.
“The evidence is clear that violence, verbal and physical abuse, and bad pupil behaviour is on the increase.
“Almost all staff enter the education sector to inspire and nurture pupils. For them to be facing such challenges and low morale is deeply wrong.
“Welsh Government need to ensure that Wales has a robust strategy in place to improve discipline and behaviour management in schools, and that pupils found to be carrying weapons are excluded from school.
“We all want our schools to be safe place for all”.
ENDS
Mae trais a chamymddwyn difrifol mewn ysgolion yng Nghymru wedi mwy na dyblu yn ystod y tair blynedd diwethaf.
Derbyniodd awdurdodau lleol 6,446 o adroddiadau ar ddigwyddiadau treisgar gan ysgolion yn 2023-2024, o'i gymharu â 4,714 o ddigwyddiadau'r flwyddyn flaenorol. Canfu arolwg NASUWT fod 79% o'r ymatebwyr wedi dweud bod cam-drin geiriol a chorfforol gan ddisgyblion wedi effeithio ar eu morâl. Hefyd, crybwyllodd 65% lefelau straen cynyddol, a dywedodd 55% fod y cam-drin wedi gwneud iddyn nhw ystyried gadael y proffesiwn.
Mae'r data diweddaraf yn dangos bod ychydig dros 1,000 o athrawon wedi gadael yn 2023. Mae hynny i fyny o 756 yn 2022, 603 yn 2021, a 414 yn 2020.
Wrth sôn am yr angen i wella ymddygiad mewn ysgolion, dywedodd Janet:
"Hoffwn ganmol holl staff ein hysgolion am y gwaith maen nhw'n ei wneud mewn amgylcheddau sy’n gallu bod yn anwadal a pheryglus.
"Mae tystiolaeth glir bod trais, cam-drin geiriol a chorfforol, ac ymddygiad gwael gan ddisgyblion ar gynnydd.
"Mae bron pob aelod o staff yn ymuno â’r sector addysg i ysbrydoli a meithrin disgyblion. Ddylai neb orfod wynebu heriau o'r fath a dioddef morâl isel fel hyn.
"Mae angen i Lywodraeth Cymru sicrhau bod gan Gymru strategaeth gadarn ar waith i wella disgyblaeth a rheoli ymddygiad mewn ysgolion, a bod disgyblion sy'n cario arfau yn cael eu gwahardd o'r ysgol.
"Rydyn ni i gyd eisiau i'n hysgolion fod yn lle diogel i bawb".
DIWEDD
