Nearly 60% of primary school teachers have experienced physical aggression from children in the classroom, according to a new report.
The Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) has said the research highlights what has become a ‘crisis’ in Irish schools.
According to the survey, 58% of primary school teachers have experienced physical aggression in school.
Half of those exposed to aggression sustained physical injuries, with 41% of those injured requiring medical attention.
Just over 10% of teachers affected missed more than three days of school as a result.
INTO Assistant General Secretary Máirín Ní Chéileachair told Newstalk Breakfast the situation is even more acute in special schools.
"The statistics from our survey yesterday are pretty stark," she said.
"It shows that, of all teachers, 58% have experienced some type of physical aggression... but if you were teaching in a special ed situation that increases dramatically.
"If you are a teacher in a special class in a mainstream school that increases and if you are teaching in special school that goes up to 96%."
Guidelines
Ms Ní Chéileachair said guidelines on managing behaviours of concern need to published now.
"We believe their publication is imminent; we know they're being piloted in 15 special schools at the moment," she said.
"Teachers have been waiting for these guidelines for over 10 years and it has come to the stage where this is a crisis in our schools.
"Everybody should have the right to be in their workplace and not be a victim of physical aggression".
Back up from other areas
Ms Ní Chéileachair said there are several factors contributing to the high numbers.
"I think it is a societal issue and I also think there are other factors here that we don't understand," she said.
"We have more and more children being assessed or diagnosed with special needs, particularly with autism.
"But we do need to have other services in place to support schools and to support families.
"School is the service that engages with children every day and they must have back up from other areas of society to support them," she added.
Ms Ní Chéileachair said there is a lack of support services from the HSE and other agencies for children with additional needs.
