School policies to help prevent bullying on teachers in the education system in Ireland need to be developed, members of staff have urged.

An article in the Irish Independent examined the growing occupational hazard that teachers face, after suffering an increasing level of violence from pupils.

The Irish National Teachers' Organisation's Joe Lyons told the newspaper that the government needs to do more in order to protect teaching staff.

"It just shows the real need to have resources," he stated.

The article also noted that the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) believe that the recession and spending cuts in education has had an impact on disruptive behaviour in class.

A survey released by the TUI revealed that 20 per cent of post-primary teachers had endured threatening or intimidating behaviour from students in the past seven days.

This rise in concern follows an incident that occurred last week involving Geraldine Wallace, principal of St Mary's Boys' School in Limerick, who was head-butted by a primary school pupil.

Ms Wallace's nose was broken in the accident, as the boy struck the principal with "full force", the publication reported.

Written by Donal Walsh 

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