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Growing violence in schools is putting fresh pressure on the Government to urgently boost teacher aide numbers.
New data shows as of December 5, there have been 12,346 incidents of students being stood down, suspended, excluded, or expelled for physical assault on other students and staff, this year.

That’s up 49% on 2019’s 8,291.

Most incidents involved students attacking other students (10,887 cases), while 1,459 were assaults on staff.

Children aged 9 or under were tied to almost 2,693 cases, up from 2,502 last year.

The data, released under the Official Information Act, shows stand-downs made up 87% of all disciplinary action.
NZEI Principals’ Council Chair Stephanie Madden said all schools are seeing the impact.

“It is a real concern. It’s an incredibly complex, problem that we’ve got.”

“Schools are noticing a lot more children are coming into school, not being able to regulate their emotions, and really struggling,” she said.

“Those figures will just be the tip of the iceberg because, to stand down a young child is an absolute last resort, for all schools.”

“They will have put in all sorts of support prior to having to take that drastic action.”

There have been several instances of students injuring others at schools this year.

A Haeata Community Campus student was suspended in March, after attacking two teachers with scissors.

In May, a student at Canterbury’s Oxford Area School had moderate injuries in an assault, and in July, a youth at Greymouth High School faced assault charges for an attack on another student.

Madden said supporting these students takes manpower, something schools don’t have enough of.

The Government’s 2025 Budget included a $747 million boost for learning support, but Madden says it falls well short.

She said more teacher aides are critical.

“So that when kids are dysregulated, there’s a kind, caring person. Often, they just need a little some time, to collect their emotions, to process what’s going on.”

“And when the teacher’s got a class of 25-30 kids, it’s really difficult.”

The union’s previously called for a teacher aide in every classroom.

The Ministry of Education said the safety of students is a top priority.

Operations and Integration acting leader Helen Hurst said anyone injured at school is supported through ACC’s no-fault scheme.

“The Ministry has a range of tools available to support schools and teachers who may be experiencing repeated serious incidents,” she adds.

“The most effective ways to prevent or diminish violence are through whole-school approaches. The Ministry of Education’s learning support teams and Resource Teachers of Learning and Behaviour offer support to schools to build positive behaviour and respond to violent situations.”

Hurst added that there are also traumatic incident teams to support schools, after significant events that disrupt the school environment.

Madden says the rise in assaults likely reflects more neurodivergent children in schools, alongside 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,” Madden added.

“It’s twofold. It’s people on the ground and then it’s access to professional support.”

Jaime Cunningham is a Christchurch-based reporter with a focus on education, social issues and general news. She joined ��һ�ǿ�����talk ZB in 2023 after working as a sports reporter at the Christchurch Star.