http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-13144789
Summary:
At many schools in England there are bullies. This will form a big problem for many staff, as well as pupils. It turns out that bullies are often other teachers who pick on their teacher colleagues. According to The Association of Teachers and Lectures a quarter of teachers have been bullied by their colleagues. There are more than 900 primary, secondary and other education staff in the UK were teachers have to confront workplace-bullying threats. About the teachers who have been bullied or felt they have been bullied: "50% said it was by a senior member of staff, 25% by pupils and 23% by parents".
All this bullying could undermine teachers and it could give them a lot of stress on their workplace. It turns out there are some schools in the UK were teachers have these problems and where the senior leadership team do not take these problems serious and do not take any action to help the teacher who has been bullied.
The bullying are most of the time negative comments or verbal insults. But half of the victims say they have been intimidated, for example by threats. And in 2% of the cases teachers are bullied by physical violence.
Opinion:
As a coming teacher I was shocked to read this article. It is unacceptable that teachers are being bullied this way and that some teachers do not even get any help from their school! I think schools in the UK should drastically change their approach towards bullied teachers and that they should take action on the bullies. It is unacceptable that some of the bullies are teachers! Every teacher should know that is not the way to treat your colleagues. Also pupils will undermine their teachers, caused by other teachers which will lead to a lot of stress among the bullied teachers. I think conversations with pupils, but also with staff from school about bullying could help, because that way people know what they cause towards other people. I totally understand the stress teachers have when they are being bullied and that they want to find another job or another school. I hope they will solve these problemes at schools in the UK.
Relinde!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenI was also shocked when I read this article, I didn't know that teachers were being bullied (by other teachers) this is really weird. I am also aware by the fact that most teachers get bullied by parents but I think the term ‘bullied’ is a bit exaggerating. Now I picture a parent hitting or pushing a teacher on school property. I agree with you, and I think you wrote a really clear summary and your reaction is also very clear, you have a strong opinion and it was nice to read.
I think this is a very serious problem, I mean as a teacher you should give the right example to your students! I have seen it during my internship that teachers do gossip about each other, but it wasn't really bullying. It is logical that you don't like every collague and that you don't agree with the way they do their teaching, but bullying is simply not acceptable when you are a teacher. I think you choose real good articles!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenHi Relinde! I think you have picked an interesting article that really applies to us as upcoming teachers. You gave a clear and broad summary and I agree with your opinion. They should take action to stop the bullying. Your fellow teachers are the ones you should be able to rely on!
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