Senior Labour councillor Laurie Bidwell has urged Dundee City Council to accelerate the publication of a report on violence prevention in Dundee schools.
Dundee education director Michael Wood has previously said he will publish details on how the administration will respond to recommendations from an inquiry into the death of Aberdeen pupil Bailey Gwynne.
Mr Bidwell, however, believes both councillors and members of the public “have been kept waiting long enough for the report to appear”.
The Broughty Ferry councillor feels the council has a duty to inform members of the public how it will ensure pupils are protected from violence.
He said: “When the report of the independent inquiry into the death of Bailey Gwynne was issued in October last year, I wrote to Michael Wood, the executive director of family and children’s service, asking when he would be coming forward with a report to committee mapping out how best we should respond in Dundee to the recommendations in the inquiry report in order to try to prevent such a fatality in our schools.
“He confirmed that the directorate were in the process of considering the various recommendations in full discussion with headteachers. He also committed to bring a report to committee.
“I think parent and carers as well as city councillors need to know more about how our schools are responding to the independent inquiry into the death of Bailey Gwynne and the incidents behind these statistics about pupils, albeit a very small minority, who have been found taking potentially offensive weapons into our schools.
“We have all been kept waiting long enough for this report to appear.
“I am calling on the executive director and the convener of the children and families’ service committee to make sure this report appears before the end of this month.”
Local area commander, Chief Inspector Gary Ogilvie said: “Possession of an offensive weapon is a matter of concern, no matter the age of the person involved.
“We work with partners and relevant premises to ensure that there is a clear understanding of the legislation, individual and collective responsibilities involved with regard to knives and offensive weapons.
“Parents and guardians also have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their children and to inform them of the risks associated with such items.
“All types of weapons, whether purchased, taken from the family home or ordinary items intended or adapted for use as a weapon, have the potential to cause injury and could result in life-changing or lethal consequences for the victim.”
A spokesperson from Dundee City Council said: “The head of secondary education is involved in ongoing discussions with Police Scotland to ensure there is a consistent message across all schools in Dundee, including the introduction of an awareness programme.”
