Attacks on Teachers: A Disturbing Reality in Spanish Schools
In the small Basque town of Plentzia, home to just over four thousand people, a group of teenagers launched yet another attack on a local teacher’s house on Halloween night. For the eighth consecutive year, her home became a target for eggs and lemons. Despite the presence of police and regional security, the attacks could not be stopped. As a result, the teacher is now on sick leave, and the incident has sparked widespread public outcry.
A similar situation occurred in Asturias, where a teacher from Avilés reported being harassed by a student. Another case is under investigation in Santurtzi, also in the Basque Country. These episodes are only part of a larger issue faced by teachers across Spain.
Alarming Statistics: Thousands of Complaints and Rising Aggression
According to the ANPE union, more than two thousand teachers sought help last academic year alone due to bullying and pressure from students. However, the actual number may be much higher, as the most serious cases go straight to court, while minor incidents are often resolved internally within schools.
The main complaints involve disrespect, disruption in the classroom, threats, false accusations, and ongoing psychological pressure. The aggression comes not only from students — parents also often pressure teachers, demand higher grades, threaten complaints, and spread slander. In recent years, cyberbullying has become a significant issue: teachers are facing insults and harassment in messengers and on social networks, and the number of such cases has multiplied.
Causes: loss of authority and the impact of technology
Experts note that attitudes toward teachers have changed significantly in recent years. Many students no longer see teachers as authority figures, and interactions have become less formal and hierarchical. On one hand, this encourages openness, but on the other, it blurs boundaries and erodes respect.
Family atmosphere also plays a crucial role: the lack of clear rules and boundaries at home often carries over into the school environment. Sometimes parents themselves initiate conflicts, and children mimic their behavior. Furthermore, modern technology exacerbates the problem: the constant presence of gadgets distracts, reduces concentration, and fuels conflict, while making it easier to spread slander and insults online.
Consequences for teachers: stress, anxiety, and burnout
Psychological pressure on teachers leads to serious consequences. Over 70% of those seeking help experience anxiety, about 12% suffer from depression, and nearly one in five are forced to take sick leave. Despite efforts to create a more peaceful and safe atmosphere in schools, the number of aggressive incidents continues to rise.
Primary school and kindergarten teachers are particularly vulnerable, as they often face pressure from parents. In middle and high school, the main threat comes from the students themselves. Experts emphasize that impunity and a lack of consequences for aggressive behavior only make the situation worse.
Searching for solutions: prevention and new approaches
The teaching community is demanding not just formal protocols from the authorities, but real tools to combat bullying. Teachers insist on the need to allocate time for conflict resolution, strengthen cooperation with the police, and implement effective prevention programs.
Experts believe that punishments alone are not enough. It’s crucial to develop new educational methods such as cooperative learning, restorative practices, and school mediation. These approaches help children build a sense of responsibility, learn to manage their emotions, and resolve conflicts constructively. Only comprehensive measures can change the situation and restore respect for the teaching profession.
