Violence Against Teachers in German Schools Rises Sharply, Survey Finds

A majority of school leaders report increasing physical and psychological violence, with concerns over insufficient support for affected educators.

A recent survey by the Verband Bildung und Erziehung (VBE) reveals that 61% of school leaders in Germany have observed an increase in violence against teachers over the past five years.
Physical attacks on teachers, primarily by students, were reported at 26% of schools, while 34% experienced online threats or harassment.
Psychological violence, such as threats and insults, is often perpetrated by parents, highlighting a breakdown in social respect for educational authorities.
Critics accuse political authorities of failing to adequately address the issue, with insufficient support systems and a lack of comprehensive data collection on violence in schools.
The survey also shows that violence remains a taboo topic in many schools, with nearly half of respondents stating it is not openly discussed and support for affected teachers declining since 2018.