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This week's newsletter explores how trade unions are at the forefront of dealing with misogyny in schools across Scotland.
A RECENT report published by the Scottish Government on behaviour in schools highlighted an increase in sexist, misogynistic and explicitly sexualised language among male pupils.
Almost 100 (97) out of the 3754 total participants in the report gave examples of male pupils directing abusive and sexist language and more disruptive behaviour towards female teachers in a way that they did not towards male teachers.
Several teachers pointed towards the rise of influencers such as Andrew Tate on social media, with one secondary teaching saying they have an “overt impact” on how young boys display misogyny.
“I would say that’s definitely one of the biggest issues and it’s one that’s on the rise,” they continued.
Andrea Bradley, general secretary of Education Institute Scotland (EIS) - Scotland’s largest teaching union, representing 65,000 members - said the report painted “a deeply worrying picture of a rising tide of disruptive behaviour, aggression and violence in Scotland’s schools.”
Bradley continued: “A lack of investment in education and support for young people, coupled with societal issues such as poverty, the influence of social media, mental ill-health and the continuing aftermath of the pandemic, have created an environment where too many young people feel alienated, isolated and distressed.”
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth announced the Government would develop a national action plan in response, aiming to improve behaviour in schools across Scotland.
Gilruth also announced an additional £900k for local councils to use to support training for their staff in response to rising challenges in behaviour in schools.
Yet trade unions have said this isn’t enough - Bradley stated that when split between the 32 local authorities in Scotland, it would equate to £30,000 per local authority, or £360 per school.
“It won’t nearly touch the sides,” she said, responding to Gilruth’s announcement.
Unions are leading the way
Much of the Scottish Government report's methodology and research was shaped by the work of Scotland’s two largest teaching unions, EIS and NASUWT.
Research undertaken by NASUWT specifically considered the gendered impact of challenging behaviour in schools, and found that female teachers are facing more frequent violence and abuse in Scottish schools than their male colleagues.
The research found that 19% of female teachers in Scotland have experienced physical abuse or violence from pupils several times a week in the previous 12 months, compared to just 3% of male teachers.
Although male teachers are more likely to face verbal threats from pupils, female teachers are more likely to have experienced physical violence, with 19% of female teachers reporting having been hit or punched, compared to 12% of male teachers.
Commenting on the research, NASUWT deputy general secretary Jane Peckham said: “We know from this survey, our casework and previous research that sexual harassment and sexism towards both female teachers and pupils in schools and colleges is commonplace and that the majority of incidents fail to be reported or dealt with effectively.
“We cannot hope to make our schools safe and secure places to learn and work unless the gendered element of managing pupil behaviour is also addressed.”
EIS carried out a survey between August and September, with 900 schools taking part. It found that accounts from teachers suggested an increase in misogynistic behaviour.
One teacher said: “Three female teachers have had comments made that wouldn’t be made to male teachers [because they were misogynistic]. [...] Off-hand mild sexist remarks occur daily, such as calling all female members of staff Karens, or telling females they’re ugly or fat, or telling them to ‘go back to the kitchen’.”
Another pointed towards the rhetoric of Andrew Tate, saying: “I have noticed certain attitudes promoted by Andrew Tate coming through in some of the teenage boys.”
Tackling gender-based violence
Bradley’s response to the Scottish Government’s funding announcement raises an important point: Many trade unionists believe there simply isn’t enough money going into schools.
The EIS isn’t alone in calling for more action from the Scottish Government - a recent report published by the Fife Violence Against Women Partnership (FVAWP) warned not only of the risk to teachers, but also to female pupils.
FVAWP, a group representing police, NHS, charities and local authority experts, issued guidance for Scottish schools on dealing with misogyny after receiving multiple reports of “an increased rate of misogynistic behaviour”.
This included a group of male pupils who refused to be taught by a teacher because she was female, who then “imposed her photo onto the body of a porn star or a glamour model and were distributing that around the school.”
The Scottish Government announced that a Gender Based Violence in Schools Framework would be issued “in the coming weeks”.
Gilruth also encouraged staff to “be pragmatic about reporting” incidents of challenging behaviour in schools.
She said: “I encourage, in the strongest possible terms, more accurate recording of all incidents of inappropriate, abusive or violent behaviour in our schools.
“I recognise that in doing so, initially, the data on incidents will increase.
“However, it remains my view that it is necessary for us to continue to strengthen the evidence base in order to inform improvements at school and local authority level.”
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