Teachers in Saskatchewan have suffered serious injuries in schools after attacks from students. (Submitted photo/Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation)

By Nolan Kowal

School violence

STF asks province to help address violence in Saskatchewan schools

Feb 21, 2024 | 3:16 PM

The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation is asking for more supports from the province after a string of violent incidents across the province.

The STF said the issue needs to be addressed after multiple teachers were physically abused by their students.

“No one should be experiencing violence or aggression in their workplace,” said Samantha Becotte, the president of the STF. “Unfortunately, these instances are becoming regular events in schools across Saskatchewan. Which means it’s not only occurring in teacher’s working environments, but these incidents are occurring in our student’s learning environments.”

In a virtual press conference on Wednesday morning, Becotte introduced a middle school teacher named Shelby who was violently attacked by a student in the hallway. She suffered a severe concussion, a broken nose, and multiple bruises. The incident occurred roughly one year ago, in March 2023.

“I walked into the hallway and was attacked by a Grade 7 student who was in an escalated state,” recalled Shelby. “I was repeatedly hit and kicked in the upper body and head by the student, and I was told it took several staff members to get the student off me and be able to restrain them. I was taken to the hospital by ambulance during the school day.”

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Shelby also suffered trauma from the event and was forced to move provinces to continue teaching.

Becotte and Shelby both said these violent incidents are the direct cause of a lack of funding and support from the province.

“Teachers know that these incidents are at no fault of the students who are involved,” Becotte said. “Violent incidents are a symptom of underfunding and are a clear sign that there is not enough support for students or teachers in our schools.”

“None of this should have ever happened in the first place…I do not blame the student for what happened, I blame the system and the continued lack of government support that continues to let the Saskatchewan students fall through the cracks,” Shelby added.

(Submitted photo/Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation)

Becotte said a variety of things could be incorporated into the school system to help mitigate the issue.

“Whether they are mental health counsellors, behavioural therapists, educational psychologists, more EA’s (educational assistants), better ratios for students and teachers, smaller class sizes,” Becotte said.

In a release, the STF said teachers “have proposed that the collective bargaining agreement include measures to reduce and eliminate violence in classrooms and schools, including the creation of a confidential provincial reporting mechanism.”

Currently, there is no reporting procedure in place for teachers in Saskatchewan.

In response, the province issued a statement Wednesday afternoon.

“The government has moved on a number of items the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) asked for, including workplace safety which is one of many areas the GTBC is prepared to discuss at the table as part of its renewed mandate.”

“Outside of bargaining, the government has proposed an agreement with the STF to annualize the $53.1 million in additional funding for class size and complexity,” said part of the statement.”

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nolan.kowal@pattisonmedia.com