Chaos in the Classroom: A Call to Action Against Rising School Disciplinary Issues

A national campaign has been proposed to address the growing problem of bad behavior in schools, particularly since the pandemic, as highlighted by Estyn, the schools inspectorate in Wales. Reports show a significant rise in problematic conduct among students, with fixed-term exclusions skyrocketing from 12,774 in 2018-19 to 22,945 in 2022-23. This alarming trend is linked to a general decline in behavior across secondary schools, exacerbated by certain parents’ defiance and their tendency to excuse their children’s actions.

Estyn identified a variety of poor behaviors, including disrespect towards teachers, refusal to complete homework, and even violence against staff and peers. Concerns also extend to misuse of mobile phones, vaping, and heightened anxiety among students. Many educators reported feeling unsupported by parents, with some even displaying aggression when confronted about their children’s misconduct.

The report urged the Welsh government to update behavior management guidelines and launch a campaign to engage parents in promoting the importance of good behavior. While the government has acknowledged the issues raised by Estyn, there is urgent need for systematic solutions discussed at an upcoming behavior summit.

Exclusion rates reveal stark disparities, with students eligible for free school meals and those with additional learning needs facing higher rates of suspensions, raising flags about the complex and challenging behavior exhibited by some pupils. Despite some schools effectively promoting positive behavior through high expectations and effective policies, a lack of comprehensive data collection makes it difficult to assess the full scope of these behavioral issues. Many leaders reported feeling inadequate support from the government and cited reduced funding and staff cuts as barriers to improvement.

Pupil surveys indicated students generally held a more positive view of classroom behavior than teachers and noted better behavior when they felt respected. School leaders are advocating for a national strategy to implement mobile phone bans, increase funding for resources, and establish clearer parental accountability. As issues escalate, education spokespeople from political parties have called for immediate action to restore safety and discipline in schools, signifying this as a critical moment for Welsh education.