The union representing 80,000 public elementary school teachers and education workers across the province is reporting a staggering amount of violence within schools.
According to a media release sent by the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), a survey done in November 2017 shows that 70% of its members have either experienced or witnessed violence in schools.
“Our members report that the number and severity of violent incidents is increasing and front-line supports are lacking for students with high-risk behaviours," said ETFO President Sam Hammond in a release. "ETFO’s message to Kathleen Wynne’s Liberal government is that nothing short of fixing the education funding formula will solve the problem.”
The group claims that principals and school boards are not handling the situation properly, as more than one-third of ETFO members have reportedly suffered mental stress, injury, or illness from violent situations.
"While over two-thirds of members have reported incidents involving physical force to principals, only 50% said there was follow-up or investigation in all or some cases," ETFO said in a media release.
The union suggests that if school boards had proper provincial funding, high-risk students would get proper assessments done, and that would further supporting its members.
“ETFO has repeatedly called on the government to fix the funding formula and review the statistical model it uses for Special Education so that funding meets actual student needs,” said Hammond.