Edinburgh MSP presses First Minister over violence in schools

Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for Edinburgh Northern Sanne Dijkstra-Downie has today challenged the First Minister over action to tackle violence in schools as a new report revealed the number of violent incidents soaring in the capital.

A report submitted to the Education, Children and Families Committee of City of Edinburgh Council states that reports of ‘violence with injury’ increased from 1,976 during the 2023/24 academic session to 2,680 during the 2024/25 academic session, an increase of 43 per cent in a single year.

Scottish Liberal Democrats have set out their plans to give pupils and teachers the support they need by

• Recruiting 2,000 new pupil support assistants to give more in-class support to children who need it, as part of a new School Workforce Strategy, to enhance and standardise the training, recruitment, retention and careers of PSAs.
• Making sure young people with additional support needs get the support they require, recruiting more expert staff, including specialist behaviour support, ASN teachers, speech and language therapists, and educational psychologists.

Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Sanne Dijkstra-Downie said:

"A recent report submitted to the Edinburgh Council’s Education, Children and Families Committee showed that there were over 2,000 violent incidents occurred in Edinburgh schools last year. This was a 43% increase on figures from the year before.

"Our schools should be a safe place for pupils and staff alike.

"I know the Scottish Government previously produced an action plan on behaviour in schools, but is clear from these increasing figures that it is not working.

"So can I ask the First Minister, what further action can his Government take to properly tackle violence in schools?"