§ Adam PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures she is taking to address violence against teachers and other school staff members during school hours. [35623]
§ Mr. TimmsI refer the hon. Member to my reply of 8 January 2002,Official Report, column 716W, which explained the initiatives the Department for Education and Skills has undertaken, and is undertaking, to reduce the incidence of abuse by parents and others against school staff. This is in addition to the legal remedies that exist for dealing with harassment and violence. The Department has provided £178 million in 2001–02 to schools and local education authorities to help support measures to tackle poor pupil behaviour. This funding backs up the guidance in Circular 10/99 "Social Inclusion: Pupil Support".
The Department has also recently announced £10 million for 2002–03 from the capital modernisation fund for local education authorities to spend on local school security improvements to help make premises more secure from intruders.