By Brian Allison, local government reporter

A zero-tolerance policy on verbal and physical violence towards school staff is to be implemented by Dundee City Council, education convener Kevin Keenan said last night.

“There is no place in our schools for pupils who indulge in this kind of behaviour,” he said.

“We will implement a policy of zero tolerance and we will look for the support of the whole community, including all parents, in driving home this message.”

The education committee received a report that revealed the increasing number of disruptive pupils in Dundee meant there was a need for more accommodation to take them out of mainstream schooling.

Education director Anne Wilson’s report said the number of pupils whose behaviour required an off-site placing was increasing to the point where current levels of accommodation were insufficient.

She said strategies were in place in schools to address disruptive behaviour.

However, the education department had always acknowledged that some pupils presented behaviour of such a serious and extreme nature that their continued presence in mainstream schools was no longer possible.

Accordingly, Mrs Wilson recommended a review of off-site provision in Dundee and approval for establishing another centre.

Mr Keenan said everyone was aware of how difficult it must be for teachers to deal with problem pupils.

“And we’re not just talking about low-level disruption but constant, in-your-face abusive and, I’m sorry to say, sometimes violent behaviour,” he said.

“I want to make it clear that this administration will not tolerate its staff being subjected to verbal and physical violence.”

Teachers’ representative on the committee, Eric Baillie, said, “The single most significant and persistent obstacle to learning and attainment is the level of pupil indiscipline. It is crucial that there is a response to this.”

Mr Baillie said for too long it had been claimed that the problem of disruption in schools was caused by a very small minority of pupils. Although it was probably still a minority, he did not believe it was a small one.

Although questioning whether one more off-site centre would be enough, SNP councillor Joe FitzPatrick said it was a step in the right direction.

His SNP colleague Elizabeth Fordyce said there was growing concern among parents and pupils at the effects on education from classroom disruption.

Conservative Neil Powrie said he had received representations from constituents who had resigned as teachers and what they told him about the level of indiscipline in schools was appalling.

“Attainment levels are being seriously compromised because teachers are having to control disruptive pupils,” he said.

Mr Powrie said there should be a greater ability for teachers to call in the police because, from what he had heard, some of the pupils should be charged.

Conservative group leader Bruce Mackie said indiscipline also spilled over into the playground and into after-school activities.

The committee unanimously approved Mrs Wilson’s recommendations for off-site provision.