Teachers across Northern Ireland are facing escalating levels of abuse, harassment and intimidation from parents, with many reporting threats, stalking, and confrontations both inside and outside school, the NASUWT Northern Ireland Annual Conference will hear.
Members will be told that teachers are being verbally abused on the phone, targeted on social media, confronted in public spaces, and followed outside working hours — behaviour that is causing fear, stress and significant harm to staff wellbeing.
A motion set to be debated at the Conference near Belfast condemns the growing culture of parental entitlement and the failure of many employers to uphold their legal duty to protect staff under the Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978.
The motion calls for mandatory Parent Codes of Conduct, enforceable reporting procedures, and firm action against parents who threaten or harass teachers. It also demands that Boards of Governors and employing authorities be held accountable where they fail to safeguard staff.
NASUWT General Secretary Matt Wrack said:
“Teachers have a legal right to work free from fear, intimidation and abuse. No teacher should be followed, threatened or harassed simply for doing their job.
“The failure of employers to act decisively has normalised unacceptable behaviour and placed staff at risk.
“Schools must be safe workplaces, and that requires clear boundaries, robust procedures and zero tolerance for abuse.”
NASUWT National Official Northern Ireland Justin McCamphill said:
“We are hearing from teachers who are being shouted at, filmed, confronted in car parks, and targeted online.
“Too often, employers minimise or ignore these incidents, leaving staff exposed and unsupported.
“Members at the Conference will send a clear message that abuse is not part of the job. We expect every school to implement strong protections and every employer to meet their legal obligations.”
