It was no surprise that the results of a survey

carried out by the Malta Union of Teachers last year indicated that the majority of teachers believe the behaviour of pupils in schools has deteriorated.

The probability is that, considering the latest developments, if another survey were to be held now – the MUT survey was carried out in mid-2005 – the results would be even more alarming.

A staggering 96 per cent of teachers said they think that student misbehaviour in schools has increased. Forty-three per cent said that they were occasionally abused verbally, while 10 per cent said that this happened “often”.

Eleven per cent of teachers said that they had been physically abused once, three per cent occasionally and one per cent suffered physical abuse often. Thirty-four per cent said that they were occasionally ridiculed, while six per cent said this happened frequently.

These are disturbing figures and should push the authorities into coming up with a much-needed plan to curb student misbehaviour in the classroom and on school premises generally.

Although only 922 of the 8,000 teachers took part in the survey, the MUT believes that the answers are clear enough and are representative of what is being experienced by the the whole teaching population.

In addressing journalists on Monday, MUT president John Bencini said that the union was often accused of relying on single reports from teachers and what was happening in Europe, but the survey results show that the union’s preoccupation is justified.

Mr Bencini did admit that the vast majority of students are not violent and also follow rules established by the different schools, but he pointed out that something needs to be done to bring in line those few students who do not behave properly.

One main problem seems to be that, these days, many parents tend to support their children, rather than the school authorities, even when the parents know that their children are in the wrong. This of course does not help to instil a sense of

discipline.

What Mr Bencini said regarding the need for an education reform that includes the provision of teaching areas in schools where troublesome children can receive attention in special classes, with the involvement of social workers, guidance teachers and counsellors, does make sense. In fact a pilot project at the Erin Serracino Inglott girls secondary school in Cospicua will start next month.

But the reforms must go beyond this. Because although it is a good idea for students with behavioural problems to be given the motivation they need to turn the corner through such special attention, at the same time one cannot ignore the underlying factor that today there seems to be

little respect for anyone in authority. This is a problem that exists not only in schools, but is

evident around us in various forms.

We are not suggesting a return to physical punishment – in schools or in homes – far from it. But it must be pointed out that discipline is often lacking, and if children get away with tiny misdemeanours without being corrected then there is a risk that they will grow up to do worse things.

At the other end of the scale, teachers must also do their best to earn the respect they all deserve. And they can also play their part in this, for example in the way they dress while on duty.

A teacher who goes to school in faded jeans and a T-shirt, in a track suit or, in the case of women, with her belly-button showing, may look cool but does not do much by way of encouraging students to show them respect. The MUT would perhaps do well to urge its members to follow a dress code that is suitable for a school environment.

Teachers should of course be shown respect whatever they wear – but every little helps.