This is not the first time that we are commenting editorially on violence at schools – and it certainly will not be the last.

It is totally unacceptable that teachers and other members of staff have to watch their back just in case a student or a parent decides that the best way to make a point is to throw a punch.

Last Friday’s alleged attack on the head teacher, assistant head and the caretaker of a Zabbar primary school by the father of a kindergarten pupil was the fourth incident in two weeks. The timely intervention of a policeman who was outside the school at the time, undoubtedly prevented the incident from escalating.

Apart from Friday’s incident, a head of school was attacked two weeks ago by a 13-year-old student, an assistant head had his car badly scratched by a student, and a lecturer was attacked in a higher institution. Such incidents underline the need for greater security in schools and it is time that both the education authorities and the Malta Union of Teachers decide upon a course of action that guarantees peace of mind for teachers and school staff and a safe environment for the students.

Taking the culprits to court is important but some form of preventive action is needed. First, teachers and staff have to be given protection. We agree with the MUT that security officers should be employed in schools deemed most as risk. If such a proposal is taken up, the authorities must ensure that any security personnel are provided with suitable training to deal with problems within a school environment and to diffuse a situation with the minimum use of force. Schools need security personnel that instil calm – not fear.

Second, access to schools should be controlled. Parents should be allowed to accompany their children to the school gate and only authorised people should be allowed inside the grounds. If necessary, staff could be issued with identity tags.

Parents must also understand that teachers are entrusted with the education of their children. They must also begin accepting responsibility for their children’s behaviour. Although parents are the first educators, teachers play an important role in the upbringing of children. They provide them with the knowledge needed to be able to face the challenges of the future. They provide guidance where necessary and they, for a good many years, are the link between the home and society.

Teachers do not have an easy task. It is not only a question of imparting knowledge – that is the easy part. It becomes harder when they have to deal with students who lack motivation, who are not interested in school, who are distracted by a million and one things, who are influenced by their peers and who, unfortunately, do not find support back home. Providing these students with an education takes more than a university degree. It requires dedication, maturity and an enormous amount of back-office support from the school, the authorities and the parents themselves.

Teachers are willing to dedicate their lives to teaching young people. What they are not willing to do, or accept, however, is having to deal with violent students and violent parents.

Last month, education minister, Louis Galea said: “We have established a zero-tolerance policy within schools and will continue to do so. There is also a lot of specialised support for students who require guidance and assistance. Last year alone, 80 cases of misbehaviour were successfully dealt with,” the minister said. 1,200 students who were having problems were assisted by 800 facilitators and there had been 23 students who had been dismissed or excluded because of unacceptable behaviour.

While the authorities appear to be providing a cure for the problem, it is perhaps time to analyse what preventive measures can be taken to reduce violence in school. That, we believe, is what the MUT president was insisting on. The maxim “prevention is better than cure” certainly rings true.