Damning new international figures highlight the “epidemic of violence and antisocial behaviour” in Scotland’s schools – on top of plummeting academic standards.
Analysis of the world-renowned PISA report has largely focused, understandably, on Scotland’s worsening performance in maths and science on the SNP’s watch compared to other nations.
However, the survey also reveals worrying stats on discipline in our schools, which chime with the concerns raised by teaching unions and others.
PISA data shows that 35.8% of Scottish students reported seeing a fight on school property in which an individual was hurt – double the OECD average of 17%.
In addition, 35.7% of Scottish students had heard a student threaten to hurt another student, compared to the OECD average of only 20.2%, and 40% reported witnessing their school being vandalised, compared to 19.8% across the board.
The Scottish Conservatives – who will use their party business slot to focus on Scottish education in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday – warn that Scottish pupils are suffering a “double whammy” under the SNP.
Shadow education secretary Liam Kerr has labelled the violence figures “deeply alarming” and called on ministers to protect students and staff, as well as arresting the “shameful” decline in education standards.
Scottish Conservative shadow education secretary, Liam Kerr MSP said: “The PISA report highlights the double whammy facing Scottish youngsters under the SNP – plummeting academic standards and an epidemic of violence and antisocial behaviour in schools.
“These figures are deeply alarming and should be a wake-up call for the SNP, who have presided over the shameful failing of our education system, a growing attainment gap they pledged to close, and now the surge in school violence.
“Teachers and students should not be living in fear when stepping into supposedly safe places for learning.
“After 16 years of continued SNP failure in education, it’s time ministers got a grip of escalating violence and vandalism, as well as the falling standards in key STEM subjects.
“They must heed the concerns of teaching unions, review guidance and exclusion policies and work with all parties to ensure that staff and students are not exposed to violence in schools.”
Notes:
- Scottish pupils are twice likely to witness a fight at school than the OECD average. The latest PISA scores show that 35.8% of Scottish pupils have witnessed a ‘fight on school property in which someone got hurt. This compares to the OECD average of 17%. (OECD, PISA 2022, 5 December 2013, link).
- Scottish schools are twice likely to be vandalised than the OECD average. The latest PISA scores show that 40% of Scottish schools have been vandalised. This compares to the OECD average of 19.8%. (OECD, PISA 2022, 5 December 2013, link).
- Scottish pupils are more likely to hear pupil threaten another pupil than the OECD average. The latest PISA scores show that 35.7% of Scottish pupils have ‘heard a student threaten another student’. This compares to the OECD average of 20.2%. (OECD, PISA 2022, 5 December 2013, link).