Tuesday, May 14, 2024 – Toronto Elementary Catholic Teachers (TECT) – the union representing more than 4,000 elementary teachers who work in the Toronto Catholic District School Board – are raising concerns about increased violence in schools, and the negative impact on student learning and the growing teacher recruitment and retention crisis. A new Pollara survey of TECT members sheds light on the ongoing student violence crisis.
By February 2024, 82% of TECT Catholic-teacher members reported that there had been at least one threatened, attempted, or actual incident of violence against a teacher(s), either experienced or observed, in their school during this school year alone, and 64% have personally experienced a threatened, attempted, or actual physical assault. Notably, 91% of TECT members who experienced violence in the workplace indicated that students were the perpetrators.
About half of TECT members indicate that the number (54%) and severity of violent incidents (47%) have increased compared to the previous school year.
During a time of teacher shortages, recruitment and retention is made more difficult when nearly a quarter (22%) of teachers within their first five years of teaching reported experiencingactual physical assault at least once a week, as well as weekly threats of physical assault (22%) and attempted assault (22%).
These are some of the key findings of an online survey of TECT members, conducted by Pollara Strategic Insights on behalf of TECT, from February 5 to February 26, 2024. In total, N=574 members of TECT answered the survey. A probability sample of this size carries a margin of error of ± 3.85%, 19 times out of 20. The dataset was weighted using standard statistical weighting techniques in order to ensure the sample accurately reflects the actual gender, age, & regional proportions of the TECT membership.
Of those surveyed, 85% felt that the main factor behind the rise in violence was the lack of teachers and education workers to support the growing number of students and their diverse learning needs. Almost everyteacher indicated that violence in their school made classroom management more difficult (97%) and reduced the time for teaching and helping students (92%). Teachers felt the following were some of the most impactful solutions to this problem:
- Lower class sizes, by reducing the number of students in each class (91%);
- Increase the number of teachers and educational workers (90%); and
- Provide more information and training to teachers (81%).
The survey also found:
- Although 61% of TECT members felt that their school administration recognizes that student violence is a problem, only 11% felt the same about their School Board.
- 62% who were physically assaulted report having objects thrown at them (including desks and chairs).
- 58% who were physically assaulted report being punched.
- 54% who were physically assaulted report being kicked.
- 45% who experienced threatened, attempted, or actual assault reported experiencing physical harm.
For more findings and commentary, please see their media release, infographic, and TECT website.
