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Source: ONE News -
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A stabbing incident at Avondale College has prompted calls for better safety in schools.
The union representing secondary eductaion says crime in schools is increasing but there is not enough funding to stop it.
"I think what we are all waiting for action, there's been a lot of talk and talk for some time now, really particularly from secondary school teachers," says Post Primary Teacher's Association president Kate Gailford.
Police made an average of 32 apprehensions a week at schools around the country last year; violence mostly involving students.
"I think if you talk to any teacher they'll tell you that the number of times they're having to deal with some extreme behaviours is on the increase," says Peter Simpson, Principals Federation Vice President
Police accept that teachers are concerned but say that it's unusual for a stabbing to occur in a school in New Zealand.
However, Tuesday's stabbing is not the first time a teacher has been seriously attacked by students
In one incident in 1997 two students were convicted for attacking a deputy principal at a Northland school. He'd been beaten unconscious with a spade.
In 2007 three teachers were assaulted by pupils at Cambridge Middle School
Education Minister Ann Tolly says that with approximately 750,000 students and 40,000 in New Zealand "we are bound to get the odd incident."
The issue of school violence will be top of the agenda at a Government summit in two weeks time.
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