Teachers are at 'breaking' point in West Dunbartonshire, says an education union, amid fears of increased assaults and violence towards staff.
Mick Dolan, from the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), says an average of 22 incidents a day is being recorded across the authority exposing the scale of "aggression" in schools.
A new system which has been set up in consultation with the union showed that 1108 violent instances were recorded over 51 days between October and December.
This is despite the fact that 20 per cent of schools are yet to join the modified system.
Mick revealed that one school in West Dunbartonshire is also in the middle of balloting for strike action due to concerns over "further cuts" to education.
The Joint Teachers’ Trade Union Convenor for the EIS said: “The anger and worry about the situation in West Dunbartonshire schools is at boiling point among our members. The prospect of further cuts in education is unthinkable and will only add to the pressure staff and pupils are already facing.
"Year on year we have made the plea to councillors, explaining the damage cuts to education budgets would cause, only for the voice of teachers to be ignored.
"We now have a schools where teachers are at breaking point through the worry and anxiety of trying to support children safely while delivering high-quality education.
"One such school in West Dunbartonshire is taking part in a statutory ballot for strike action at this very time and further cuts risk more industrial action in our schools.”
In December, the Clydebank Post revealed that 450 incidents were recorded by West Dunbartonshire Council in the whole of last year.
The EIS, at the time, claimed the previous system was "inefficient" and that these figures were wrong.
It is understood a new method for recording assault and abuse has now been implemented.
West Dunbartonshire Council has condemned any incident of violence in the workplace and have welcomed the availability of a new recording system through EIS collaboration.
The EIS say around half of pupils in the areas have been identified with an additional support need (ASN) which means schools are attempting to meet increased needs with diminishing resources.
Specialist facilities in the authority are said to be operating at "full capacity" meaning children with high levels of need are increasingly being supported in mainstream settings stretching staffing and specialist provisions.
In addition, the union says despite teachers remaining committed to providing the best possible education, they are trying to highlight the need for more resources through potential strike action.
West Dunbartonshire Council say that they will continue to engage with the EIS and the workforce to ensure a safe environment for staff.
A spokesperson said: “Our employees all have the right to work without fear of violence and we are committed to supporting them to ensure they are safe at work.
"As well as an additional reporting method introduced in consultation with colleagues from EIS, which allows us to gather information and take appropriate action, we have introduced enhanced support and appropriate resource in schools where pupils have more complex needs.
“We will continue to listen to and engage with the workforce and their trade union representatives to ensure a safe environment is maintained for the benefit of both staff and pupils.”
The school voting for strike action has not been confirmed by the EIS.
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