Gibraltar NASUWT says it is deeply concerned by the violent videos circulating on social media showing two secondary school students involved in a street fight, during which teachers and members of the public had to intervene.

 

A statement from Gibraltar NASUWT follows below:

 

Gibraltar NASUWT is deeply concerned by the violent videos circulating on social media showing two secondary school students involved in a street fight, during which teachers and members of the public had to intervene. The footage shows the two teachers left completely exposed dealing with a situation that underscores the urgent need for a clear and comprehensive Safe Handling Policy, which the Department of Education has yet to share with school staff despite repeated requests from the Union.

 

These incidents are not isolated. Furthermore, violence and assaults against staff are becoming increasingly common, not only in secondary schools but also within some of our primary schools. Gibraltar NASUWT has received reports of teachers and SNLSAs being physically assaulted and yet left without the necessary training in safe restraint or de-escalation techniques. 

 

What we are witnessing is the direct result of a Department that consistently avoids addressing these difficult issues. Instead of engaging in open, solution-focused dialogue, the Department continues to dissuade head teachers from suspending violent students and insists on pursuing inclusion at all costs, even when doing so compromises the safety of both staff and students. 

 

What we have witnessed today in these WhatsApp videos that are being widely shared in our community is the tip of the iceberg. What lies beneath the surface happens within the walls of our educational institutions on a regular basis, putting teachers and SNLSAs at risk of harm. Much to the Union’s dismay, we have brought this to the attention of the Department of Education repeatedly, but have been brushed off and labelled punitive for highlighting the inadequacy of a restorative approach to behaviour that is clearly failing us all. The shocking scenes of boys fighting in the street outside Westside school and entering Varyl Begg Estate, with a mob following them and cheering should make our Government reflect long and hard about whether it is time to abandon new age gimmicks and restore discipline in our schools. 

 

Teachers and school staff deserve to work in environments where they are protected, respected, and supported. The current situation is unacceptable and unsustainable.

 

The Department must act decisively and collaboratively before further harm occurs. There can be no repeat of the incident three years ago when a Deputy Headteacher was forced to retire early after sustaining physical and psychological injuries from a serious assault at school.

 

The Minister for Education has called an urgent meeting with the Department, schools and the RGP and has also been in direct communication with NASUWT to "discuss and act on areas of concern" after a series of videos were circulated via social media yesterday afternoon showing a fight between comprehensive school students outside school and in the Varyl Begg area.

 

A spokesperson said: “The Department of Education condemns any form of violence and confirms that schools act swiftly and appropriately whenever incidents occur. The recent altercation is deeply regrettable but not reflective of the values or conduct of the vast majority of our young people, who demonstrate respect and responsibility every day. Both the Government and the Department stand firmly behind and supports all the staff in the schools who have to deal with wide ranging issues, including difficult situations such as these, the repercussions of which are aggravated nowadays due to the dissemination of videos.”