Teachers should report violence: Yukon education minister

Yukon's education minister admits violence is a big problem in the territory's schools. Doug Graham is encouraging teachers to report any incidents.

The issue was raised this week by Jill Mason, president-elect of the Yukon Teachers' Association. She says dealing with classroom violence will be her top priority as YTA president.

In the Yukon Legislature on Thursday,opposition politicians echoed Mason's concerns. NDP education critic Jim Tredger says the situation is out of hand.

"This violence includes spitting, kicking, swearing, intimidation, damage to property, threats to one's family," Tredger said. He wantedassurances that the government will respond.

Graham said his government has encouraged teachers to come forward and report any incidents. He says that in 2012-13, there were eight violent incidents reported to his department. Last year, there were 85.

"We share the Yukon Teachers' Association's concerns," Graham said. "[Teachers] should be free of any kind of abuse at all."

"It's one of the main issues going forward in the ongoing discussions leading up to a new contract with the Yukon Teachers' Association."

The current contract between the YTA and the government expires in June.