Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows has called on the Education Minister to introduce an injury reduction plan for schools following new figures on staff assaults.

The MLA raised the issue in the Northern Ireland Assembly and asked the Education Authority for the number of staff injured by pupil behaviour in the 12 months to April 2026.

The Authority recorded 598 teachers and 1,974 classroom assistants injured in assaults by pupils during that period.

Burrows said violence against teachers and classroom assistants is a taboo issue that needs urgent attention.

He noted that the majority of injured staff are women and called for better training and support for staff dealing with pupils who have additional needs.

He also highlighted a separate problem of deliberate unruly behaviour and intimidation in some schools, saying schools must be able to deal swiftly with disruptive pupils to protect staff and other pupils.

Burrows raised concern about a proposal to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 14, arguing it would make assault and bullying by children under 14 effectively legal.

He said many parents are supportive, but some teachers face hostility from parents when trying to discipline children.

The Education Minister confirmed that injuries to school staff are reported to the Education Authority rather than the department and provided the assault figures from the Authority.