Schools Hiring Bouncers Instead of Supply Teachers to Cover Lessons

Brittany Walker

April 13, 2009

5:24 p.m.

Schools are recruiting nightclub bouncers, prison officers, and ex-soldiers to fill-in for substitute teachers. Classroom supervisors with military or law enforcement backgrounds are being hired instead of supply teachers to administer “crowd control.” One secondary school in North London employed two permanent teacher standings through an agency for professional doormen. The bouncers were checked for criminal records but were given no training. The market for supply teachers is rapidly shrinking as schools take on cheaper standings who can keep order while students work on prepared assignments. Supply teachers can cost up to 200.00 a day which is equivalent to nearly 40,000 a year, if bouncers are substituted this cost could be cut in half.

I honestly do not think that this is a good idea. If the school system is getting to the point where they have to hire night club bouncers in order to keep their students under control something else permanently needs to be done to address the situation. What shocked me the most was the fact that the schools were hiring these bouncers with no professional training. I believe this really puts the children at risk of being harmed. This also sets a bad example for the children as well. If the school is unable to keep control of their student body for whatever reason and is forced to violence to take control this can only make situations and matters worse. In conclusion I think there are better ways to gain control of a classroom. Students are there to learn and receive a good education not be exposed to negative situations.