Increasing abuse from parents on social media and in group chats is causing teaching staff “stress and significant harm” a teaching union has said.
According to the NASUWT, teachers in Scotland are increasingly facing threats, verbal attacks and online abuse from parents.
Teachers are reporting that parents and carers have been making complaints to schools about teachers using tools such as AI, covert recording and social media to make accusations and threats.
Matt Wrack, NASUWT general secretary, said that minor problems are being “escalated” and “blown up” in group chats.
He said: “Parents absolutely have the right to complain to their child’s school if they have a concern.
“However, we are increasingly receiving reports from teachers that they are facing verbal abuse, being targeted on social media and being covertly recorded by some parents unhappy at some aspect of their children’s experience at school.
“Minor problems that would have previously been addressed between teachers and parents with little fuss are increasingly being escalated by parents and blown up online and in group chats.
“This is all causing stress and significant harm to staff welfare and wellbeing.
“We believe the time has come for action from Cosla and local authorities to protect teachers from abuse from parents and from complaints that are malicious or vexatious.”
The union believes many of these complaints stem from parental frustration relating to the underfunding of the education system and at a lack of resources and specialist support for pupils.
This week teachers at NASUWT Scotland’s annual conference will call for Cosla and local authorities to introduce clear guidelines for schools on dealing with complaints from parents and carers.
They are also requesting that local authorities take action against parents and carers where there is evidence that complaints are vexatious or malicious.
Mike Corbett, NASUWT Scotland national official, said that social media and group chats have “undoubtedly contributed” to the increase in abusive behaviour.
He said: “The ease with which parents can air their views on social media or in group chats and the normalisation of filming and recording in public spaces has undoubtedly contributed to the increase in complaints and abusive behaviour from parents.
“But teachers are also increasingly taking the blame from frustrated parents for problems which often stem from a lack of funding and resources in our schools.
“Teachers are being sworn at, having their professional abilities derided and accusations made about their personal lives and conduct.
“We need better systems for handling complaints to ensure that parents are not able to abuse the complaints process and to make sure that teachers receive the backing and protection from harassment they have a right to expect from their employer.”
A Cosla spokesperson said: “No teacher should be subject to abuse or vexatious accusations and, as employers, councils will always support any staff who experience this when undertaking their duties.
“We must understand the root causes of relationship and behaviour issues in our schools, providing appropriate support to all of our young people.
“Managing and supporting teachers to do this is a local matter addressed at a school and local authority level.”
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