NLTA says violence in classrooms is getting worse, not better

The head of the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers' Association is once again sounding the alarm on violence in the province's classrooms, and says the government needs to do more to find solutions and address the problem.

"The most recent report from the full school year last year was approximately 22 incidents per day in our schools," Trent Langdon told CBC News Tuesday.

"There was a 29 per cent increase in physical, violent attacks from the previous year. So that's where we are, and it's time for this province to fully appreciate where we are and to address it."

A news release issued by the NLTA on Tuesday said statistics gathered from an access-to-information request show there were 4,052 reported violent or aggressive incidents during the 2023-24 school year — up from 3,659 during the 2018-19 school year.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary were called to 178 incidents last year, up from 111 the previous year, while the Royal Canadian mounted Police were called 98 times.

The association has raised concerns on violence in the school system for months. The problem has been highlighted in recent headlines, including a brutal attack on a student at Prince of Wales Collegiate and police being called to Waterford Valley High School when weapons were found on the property.

The NLTA first launched a campaign to highlight school violence in March, and relaunched the campaign on Tuesday with comments from parents.

"My child is coming home with bruises, they're coming home with injuries," Langdon said, referring to some comments the NLTA has received. "Many times when there's a violent incident, the entire school suffers."

WATCH | NLTA president blasts government's lock of leadership on violence in schools:

Classrooms destroyed, kids have weapons and government doesn’t seem to care: NLTA

28 days ago

Duration 1:28

The number of incidents involving physical violence or assault topped 3,500 last year in Newfoundland and Labrador schools — almost 30 per cent higher than 2022. Trent Langdon, the president of the NLTA, says it’s a huge problem and questions where the provincial government is when it comes to the issue.

Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE) President Jerry Earle, who represents over 1,000 student assistants, said that group is also seeing violence in the classroom.

"We've had student assistants that have been physically assaulted, [that] have lost time at work because of injuries they've sustained. There's much more aggression being seen," he said. "[It's] quite concerning because the children that are entering our schools have very complex needs, and the supports often necessary are not there. And it's having an adverse effect."

Both Langdon and Earle say teachers and student assistants need more support in the classroom — which would have to come from the provincial government.

However, Langdon said, he feels the province isn't stepping up as part of the school safety coalition organized by the NLTA.

"Our current minister is off. But we have John Haggie, who has been in that role for several months and who has yet to contact us," Langdon said.

"It's been participation by government. It's not leadership, and that's where we are right now."

N.L. Schools issued a memo on Tuesday saying students, staff and parents all have a role to play in helping address violence in schools.

In an emailed statement to CBC News, Education Minister Krista Lynn Howell said that violence against students and school staff is unacceptable and the department is focused on supporting their well-being.

The statement also said experiences in schools can reflect societal issues and that collaboration is key in addressing violence in schools.

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