School Violence Surges, Urging Call for More Teacher Aides

Growing incidents of violence in schools across New Zealand are prompting urgent calls for increased support from the government, particularly in the form of additional teacher aides. According to data released under the Official Information Act, there have been a staggering 12,346 incidents of students being stood down, suspended, excluded, or expelled for physical assaults this year alone. This figure marks a significant increase of 49% compared to 2019, which recorded 8,291 incidents.

The majority of these incidents involved students attacking their peers, with 10,887 cases reported, while 1,459 assaults targeted staff members. Alarmingly, children aged 9 or under accounted for nearly 2,693 cases, an increase from 2,502 the previous year. The data reveals that 87% of all disciplinary actions consisted of stand-downs, a measure that schools typically resort to only as a last option.

Concerns Over Student Behavior and Support

Stephanie Madden, Chair of the NZEI Principals’ Council, expressed deep concern over the escalating violence in schools. “It is a real concern. It’s an incredibly complex problem that we’ve got,” she stated. Madden noted that many students are entering schools unable to effectively regulate their emotions, leading to increased incidents of aggression.

“The figures will just be the tip of the iceberg because to stand down a young child is an absolute last resort for all schools,” she explained. “Schools will have put in all sorts of support prior to having to take that drastic action.”

Several high-profile incidents this year have highlighted the severity of the issue. For instance, a student at Haeata Community Campus was suspended in March for attacking two teachers with scissors. In May, a student at Canterbury’s Oxford Area School sustained moderate injuries from an assault. Additionally, in July, a youth at Greymouth High School faced assault charges after attacking another student.

Need for Increased Resources

Madden emphasized that addressing these challenges requires additional manpower, which many schools currently lack. The government’s 2025 Budget included a $747 million increase for learning support. However, Madden argues that this funding does not adequately meet the pressing needs of schools.

She advocates for more teacher aides, stating, “When kids are dysregulated, there’s a kind, caring person who can help them. Often, they just need a little time to collect their emotions and process what’s going on.” With classes often exceeding 25-30 students, teachers find it increasingly difficult to provide the support each child requires.

The NZEI has previously called for a teacher aide in every classroom to help manage these complex situations effectively. The Ministry of Education, in response, stated that the safety of students remains a top priority. According to Helen Hurst, acting leader of Operations and Integration, anyone injured at school is supported through the ACC’s no-fault scheme.

“The Ministry has a range of tools available to support schools and teachers experiencing repeated serious incidents,” Hurst added. “The most effective ways to prevent or diminish violence are through whole-school approaches. Our learning support teams and Resource Teachers of Learning and Behaviour offer support to build positive behaviour and respond to violent situations.”

In addition to these resources, Hurst noted the existence of traumatic incident teams that assist schools following significant events that disrupt the school environment.

Madden also highlighted that the rise in assaults may reflect a growing number of neurodivergent children in schools, compounded by family stress and trauma. “We need access to real experts, educational psychologists, to give us advice because often these kids are coming from really complex situations,” she stated. She reiterated the necessity of having both personnel on the ground and professional support readily available to tackle these challenges effectively.

As New Zealand grapples with this pressing issue, the call for increased resources and support for educators remains louder than ever, underscoring the urgent need for action to ensure the safety and well-being of students across the nation.