Violence in Scotland’s schools has surged to more than 44,000 in a single year, figures have revealed.
Freedom of information (FoI) requests to all Scottish councils, submitted by the Liberal Democrats, show primary school violence is at its worst levels since at least 2018.
According to the data, there were at least 44,221 violent incidents across schools last year – up from 13,500 in 2018.
The vast majority of these violent episodes – 38,815 – were recorded in the nation’s primary schools.
The figure is the highest since the Lib Dems began the FOIs into Scottish councils eight years ago and are around four times higher than the 10,772 incidents recorded then.
Some councils did not provide data for some of the years, meaning the true number for some years may be higher.
Alex Cole-Hamilton, the Scottish Lib Dem leader, said some pupils would be “terrified” to return to schools.
He said during First Minister’s Questions: “This week, Scotland’s schools break up for the October holidays and many teachers will be at their wits’ end.
“New Scottish Liberal Democrat research, published today, shows that there were over 44,000 violent incidents in our schools last year.
“In primary schools, it’s the worst it’s ever been.
“In Fife, violence in those schools has more than quadrupled since 2018.
“So, what does the First Minister have to say to those teachers, and pupils, going back to school in a couple of weeks’ time, some of whom will be absolutely petrified of what awaits them?”
Mr Cole-Hamilton said the figures came after police had recorded knives in schools 127 times this year.
He repeated the warning from the EIS trade union which warned safety was a “ticking time bomb in Scottish education that is just waiting to go boom”.
He added: “Pupils are struggling, teachers are struggling, which is why they need: more classroom assistants, more behavioural experts in schools and more access to youth work.
“Liberal Democrats have been talking about rising levels of violence in our schools for years, we’ve offered solutions, yet still this is getting worse.
“Can’t the First Minister see that what he’s doing just isn’t working?”
John Swinney said violent behaviour “would not be tolerated” in schools.
He said the Scottish Government would work with councils to tackle the issue.
He said the Government was introducing legislation to restrict phones in classrooms and investing £8 million in the violence prevention framework.
He said: “What Mr Cole-Hamilton and the Liberal Democrats and other parties in Parliament can rely upon from me and my Government is a willingness to engage to do the best to improve the lives of people in Scotland, including school teachers and pupils in the schools of our country.”