Rising Violence in Ontario Schools Raises Concern Among Teachers
Violence in Ontario schools has become an alarming issue, sparking concern among teachers and prompting a call for action. A recent viral thread on social media shed light on the physical challenges that teachers face on a day-to-day basis. The thread, posted by an anonymous teacher, echoed the findings of a survey conducted earlier this year by the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (EFTO).
The anonymous teacher revealed in their post that they and their colleagues were subjected to verbal abuse and witnessed other teachers being physically assaulted by students. The violence has left them feeling unsafe at work, which is a deeply unsettling experience for educators. The teacher shared their dismay at encountering students they had never met before, who would hurl offensive language and hatred at them.
The survey conducted by EFTO, titled the 2023 All-Member Violence Survey, further highlighted the extent of the problem. A staggering 77% of EFTO members admitted to personally experiencing or witnessing violence against a staff member. The situation is even worse for those working in special education, with 86% of EFTO members in this field reporting violence.
Disturbingly, 72% of surveyed members stated that violent incidents had increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, 42% of members reported suffering physical or psychological injuries as a result of workplace violence.
These survey results have drawn attention to the urgent need for action at both the provincial and school board levels. Karon Brown, the President of EFTO, expressed alarm and distress over the findings. The survey also revealed that certain groups, including Indigenous people, women, disabled individuals, and LGBTQ+ teachers, were more likely to experience physical violence.
In response to the report, Ontario Premier Doug Ford acknowledged the gravity of the issue but suggested that violence in schools stems from issues at home. He called for students to respect their teachers and emphasized the government’s commitment to preventing violence in schools.
As a result of these troubling findings, the EFTO is advocating for various measures to address the situation. They are pushing for an increase in the number of educational assistants, psychologists, special education teachers, school support counsellors, behavioural therapists, child and youth workers, and speech-language pathologists in schools.
These revelations come at a critical time, as Ontario’s public elementary school teachers have voted 95% in favor of a strike mandate amid ongoing negotiations. The situation highlights the urgent need for action to ensure the safety and well-being of teachers and students alike.
It is clear that addressing violence in Ontario schools is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention. The experiences shared by teachers and the results of the survey demand a proactive and comprehensive approach to create safer learning environments for everyone involved.
