Parents using AI to make vexatious complaints about teachers
The teaching union believes social media and chat groups are riling parents up over minor issues and leading to abuse of teachers
Parents are using AI and covert recordings of teachers as part of a rising tide of harassment in Scottish schools.
Staff have reported "stress and significant harm" as they increasingly face threats, verbal attacks and online abuse.
Minor issues are then being “blown up” beyond proportion in parent WhatsApp groups and on social media.
Calls have been made repeatedly for the Scottish government to address rising reports of violence carried out by pupils.
However, teacher’s union NASUWT has identified growing concerns with vexatious and malicious complaints.
Matt Wrack, NASUWT General Secretary, said it was reasonable for parents to complain to their child’s school if they have a concern.
“However, we are increasingly receiving reports from teachers that they are facing verbal abuse, being targeted on social media and being covertly recorded by some parents unhappy at some aspect of their children’s experience at school,” Mr Wrack added.
“Minor problems that would have previously been addressed between teachers and parents with little fuss are increasingly being escalated by parents and blown up online and in group chats.
“This is all causing stress and significant harm to staff welfare and wellbeing.”
The union is calling for Cosla, the local authority umbrella organisation, and councils to take action to protect teachers from parental abuse.
Teachers say parents and carers are increasingly making complaints to schools about their work using tools including AI, covert recording and social media to make accusations and threats.
NASUWT claims many of these complaints stem from parental frustration relating to the underfunding of the education system.
It is felt that teachers are bearing the brunt of anger at a lack of resources and specialist support for pupils.
They say social media and group chats has provide parents with a space to vent but that this is propelling a rise in complaints.
One teacher, who spoke to The Scotsman on condition of anonymity, said verbal abuse from parents had become normalised since the pandemic.
The secondary school teacher said boundaries had becoming increasing lax and a lack of respect had crept into the teacher and parent relationship.
She said: “Pupils will use appalling language in the classroom and we are concerned about violence in schools.
“But for the past few years it has not only been an issue with pupils but also with parents.
“In my 10 years teaching I have never been spoken to as aggressively as I am now.
“The parents seem to think we can work miracles and become furious when we can’t.”
Another teacher, who also asked to remain anonymous, said parents expect additional support and high standards for their children and become frustrated when they feel their expectations are not matched.
He said: “They don’t seem to realise we are doing everything we can within the confines of what we have available.
“It becomes increasingly difficult to manage a classroom of complex needs, increased workloads and pupils who have a sense of entitlement.
“We hear all the time about increased violence in schools but some of the parents need to look at themselves closely.
“There was a time when teachers had unwavering respect.”
The ease with which parents can vent their feelings in online spaces and chat groups is also likely contributing to the rise in complaints, the union believes.
Teachers at NASUWT Scotland’s Annual Conference, taking place this coming Friday and Saturday in Clydebank, will call for COSLA and local authorities to introduce clear guidelines for schools on dealing with complaints from parents and carers and for local authorities to take action against them where there is evidence that complaints are vexatious or malicious.
Mike Corbett, NASUWT Scotland National Official, said: “The normalisation of filming and recording in public spaces has undoubtedly contributed to the increase in complaints and abusive behaviour from parents.
“But teachers are also increasingly taking the blame from frustrated parents for problems which often stem from a lack of funding and resources in our schools.
“Teachers are being sworn at, having their professional abilities derided and accusations made about their personal lives and conduct.”
Mr Corbett called for better complaint handling systems to ensure “parents are not able to abuse the complaints process and to make sure that teachers receive the backing and protection from harassment they have a right to expect from their employer.”
A COSLA spokesman said no teacher should experience this sort of situation and added that councils will always offer support to staff.
“We must understand the root causes of relationship and behaviour issues in our schools, providing appropriate support to all of our young people,” he said.
“Managing and supporting teachers to do this is a local matter addressed at a school and local authority level."
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “As previously stated, regulatory responsibility for social media lies with the UK government.
“Ministers have been clear that providers have a responsibility to enforce their own policies on harmful online content.
“The Scottish government has also engaged with UK Ministers and Ofcom to strengthen online protections for children in the Online Safety Act 2023 and will continue to keep the effectiveness of these measures under review.”
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