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Earlier this fall, the union reported Nytorpsskolan in Hammarkullen to the Swedish Work Environment Authority because the work environment was not safe. As a result of the school withdrawing its budget in previous years, it was forced to make huge savings and staff was cut by a third.
From the union side, a direct link was observed between the decrease in the number of adults and the increase in violence and insecurity. Something that got even worse during the semester, according to security representative Joachim Svärd.
– What you have to bring to understand this situation is that this is perhaps the worst area in which you can work, in the whole country.
Criminals leave their mark
He says that some crime families make a big impression on the area and that it affects the school and the school environment.
Joachim Svärd, Nytorpsskolan Security Representative. Photo: Private
– We have a lot of good students. But we also have students that you can’t trust. Whoever denies everything, lies, steals. It’s not fun to say that, but the culture here is too bad and it depends on the environment. It is the criminals in the area who control and decide what is right.
On Thursday, the staff had convened the elementary school administration for a crisis meeting, which also included Axel Darvik (left), who will take over as president of the elementary school board, and GP.
In the digital gathering, several staff members testified about a very violent situation at the school and that they are reluctant to intervene in fights between students, because they see a clear pattern: students with ties to strongly criminal clans have implemented systems to threaten and notify teachers to intervene. And that teachers feel they lack the support of the administration in this situation.
Axel Darvik says what he heard is serious.
– I get the impression that there are students with ties to family clans, with a great capital of violence, who try to take power in the school and with threats and violence and using the system that gives them the opportunity to report, assert their will at the expense of teachers and the principal. And that, of course, is completely unacceptable.
Many absent
The past week has been very difficult. Only 11 of the 37 employees have been at the site, the rest have been home and sick. Some of them suspected of covid-19, but during the meeting it was learned that it was also about psychosocial reasons linked to the situation at school.
Teachers GP has been in contact with say that most things were going in the right direction during the years the school stopped budgeting and that there is a big difference now that there are fewer adult eyes in the hallway. They emphasize that there are not many students who pose really big problems, maybe a couple each year, but with low adult attendance, they get a very large space.
– You’re anorexic and then they put you on a diet. And then we have some students, who have no barriers. Things happen here that don’t happen in normal schools, says security representative Joachim Svärd.
“People are looking for other jobs”
He says that the school has many teachers who have been with us for a long time and who have chosen to work in the area because they want to make a difference for children who grow up in difficult conditions.
– But now there is talk between teachers. People are looking for other jobs, says Joachim Svärd.
Nytorpsskolan Principal Else-Marie Hallqvist shares the teachers’ view that resources play a role and that it would have been necessary to take into account the situation in the area when distributing resources. A school like Nytorpsskolan may need even more resources than it has today to offer students an education equivalent to that of other sheep, he says.
– One thing I think the elementary school board should think about is: what does equivalent mean and what does similar mean? My great fear is that you mix the two concepts.
She says she loves Hammarkullen and has actively sought out the area and the school, but like many of the teachers, she has started to wonder if she really should stay.
– Right now it feels heavy, it does. Is it possible to continue?
I can’t promise more money
Axel Darvik (left) says that the school’s teachers must feel that they have the full support of the entire city to create a safe and quiet workplace for students and teachers and that a special effort is needed at this school.
What does a special effort mean?
– These are efforts to ensure that staff are safe and are not exposed to violence, threats, or harassment. I think it is important that there is a quick response from the adult world if some students cross the border. Steps are needed to ensure that adults have respect and authority in school.
The staff and principal are asking for more resources. Does the school understand?
– This is something we should discuss in committee. The resource allocation system we have is designed in such a way that if you go over budget one year, you should save the next year. Then the difference between the years will be very big. We should have a discussion if it is appropriate.
READ MORE: Teachers unions have had enough – Nytorpsskolan reports
READ MORE: Vättleskolan teachers sound alarm after cuts
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