Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay today said that “classroom discipline has collapsed” under the SNP after a survey of teachers found violence and abuse in schools has increased.
At First Minister’s Questions, he cited a report from the NASUWT which revealed that teachers have been assaulted with knives, chairs and hockey sticks, and been bitten, spat on, headbutted, punched and kicked, as well as having fireworks thrown at them and their cars vandalised.
Findlay also urged John Swinney to increase opportunities for young people by lowering the school leaving age so pupils could go on to an apprenticeship or college place.
The Scottish Conservative leader quoted former SNP government economic adviser Jim McColl, who said: “A lot of these youngsters at school don’t want to be there. They’re not interested in it. And, all of a sudden, you’re giving them an opportunity to learn a trade and be earning money. So I feel it’s a brilliant move.”
Findlay highlighted that many young people have been left behind, with one in seven Scottish pupils leaving school without a qualification.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: “In recent weeks, I’ve had the privilege of meeting apprentices in businesses across Scotland at Thales in Govan, Collins Aerospace in Prestwick and Persimmon Homes in East Lothian.
“If we reduce the school leaving age below 16, more young people could take advantage of these opportunities.
“It has long been clear that far too many pupils are being failed by the SNP’s education system.
“We propose giving those young people who are being left behind the opportunity of hybrid education and training in colleges and the workplace.
“Discussion of how to increase opportunities for young people is long overdue in the Scottish Parliament, which hasn’t been focused enough on this key issue.
“We need to do things differently.
“Scotland’s business community can see this issue needs proper political attention.
“Over the past 18 years of SNP rule far too many young people have been left behind and deprived of a better future.
“This parliament needs to focus more on encouraging opportunity, aspiration, and giving pupils the chance to thrive.
“But the problems in Scotland’s schools run even deeper than the scandal of so many young people being left behind.
“The SNP must start to tackle the breakdown in classroom discipline because teachers are at breaking point and pupils’ education is suffering.”