Teacher Attacked by Student Prompts Strike at Beer Sheva School

Classes at Makif Alef School in Beer Sheva will begin two hours late on Thursday, October 12, following a physical assault on a teacher by a seventh-grade student. The incident, which occurred during a lesson in front of other students, involved the student punching and verbally abusing the teacher, who is also the class homeroom teacher. The teacher sustained injuries and required medical attention, with the Teachers Union reporting that the students and staff are in severe shock.

This marks the third reported incident of violence against educators since the school year began last week. Previous incidents include an attack on an educational assistant and a kindergarten teacher by a parent in Kiryat Haim, and verbal abuse and threats against a kindergarten teacher by a grandparent in Kiryat Motzkin, where the teacher filed a police complaint.

Michael Pinto, chairman of the professional union at the Teachers Union, stated that educators cannot be held responsible for student discipline and safety while being left vulnerable to violence. He emphasized the Ministry of Education and school administrations' obligation to provide full support and create real deterrence against such acts, asserting the union will not accept violence against teachers as inevitable.

Dr. Eliezer Vinograd, acting secretary-general of the Teachers Union and chairman of its Beer Sheva branch, condemned the attack as crossing a red line, highlighting the unacceptability of a teacher ending their workday injured after coming to educate and provide a safe environment.