Latest update August 4th, 2026 12:30 AM
Identifying the ‘real’ reasons for increased violence in schools
DEAR EDITOR,
I read your editorial (Violence in Schools, Nov 28th) and I was captivated, with great sadness, by your opening sentence, “The intensity and frequency of violence in schools have turned the prevailing thinking regarding corporal punishment on its head.” This statement suggests we are losing faith in the conversations for changing a system that is historic and culturally embedded in our school system. The debate surrounding the concerns of corporal punishment, whether right or wrong, is receiving attention at the highest level of our legislative bodies, and I am very hopeful of change.
Nonetheless, I was extremely pleased that your editorial did address and identify some of the key reasons for violence in our schools, including a range of strategies and approaches to tackle the problem. What you failed to do in the editorial was to clearly identify the ‘real’ reasons for increased violence in schools and more importantly, where in the educational system the problem is endemic and to what extent.
Violence in schools is wrong on every level, but unless we confront key contributory factors such as; family dynamics (domestic violence, inadequate parenting skills, stressful living environment, modelling of appropriate behaviour), economics (poverty, high unemployment, low income, inadequate support services, involvement in crime), community deterioration (substandard schools, housing and play facilities), media (portrayals of violent behaviour as a common and appropriate way to solve problems), poor academic performance, lack of respect, unstructured free time and delinquent peers, violence in schools will become cancerous.
In addition to the possible and workable solutions in the editorial, I would like to add a couple.
Firstly, the government has to recognise that the key to tackling pupil aggression in schools is ‘support for parents’. It is not surprising to see that poor behaviour is often attributed to problems at home. Finally, teachers need to work with parents to encourage good behaviour and parents should be acting as good role models by supporting staff and helping them create a more positive learning environment for their children.
Sometimes we have to tell the story like it is for the message to resonate with our leaders. It is worth pointing out that the problem of violence in schools is global. The UK and USA, as developed as they are, suffer similar problems in state schools, colleges and universities.
Brendon Mounter
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