The union representing support staff in Manitoba’s largest school division is raising concerns about a significant surge in violence towards its workers. Recent data from the Winnipeg School Division, disclosed by the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union, reveals a notable 118% spike in incidents of student-related aggression, escalating from 884 in the 2022-23 academic year to 1,925 in 2025-26.
Union president Kyle Ross expressed astonishment at the statistics, emphasizing the daily fear and uncertainty faced by staff members due to physical aggression like spitting, hair-pulling, biting, and head-butting. The data highlights that educational assistants are the most affected group by student-related aggression incidents.
The rise in aggressive incidents, encompassing hits, scratches, kicks, and bites, underlines concerns regarding the adequacy of staffing levels to meet the demands, according to the union. Ross indicated the necessity for more educational assistants to ensure consistent care for students requiring support, emphasizing the importance of building relationships and trust with students.
The union is urging the province to allocate support where it is most needed, guarantee safe staffing levels with appropriate training, and reinforce the enforcement of violence-prevention protocols. Education Minister Tracy Schmidt acknowledged the significance of investing in more staff to provide necessary support for students and maintain school safety. The province has allocated funding to hire 830 new educational assistants in 2026, with a commitment to further collaborate with school divisions and partners to address ongoing challenges.
Superintendent Matt Henderson of the Winnipeg School Division mentioned the addition of 300 educational assistants over the past three years and the reduction of class sizes to ensure appropriate staffing levels. He emphasized the importance of supporting school teams and understanding that student behavior often reflects their attempts to communicate needs.
Darby Mallory, a doctoral student at the University of Ottawa, highlighted the complexity of addressing the escalating violence in schools, attributing factors such as reduced school funding leading to larger class sizes and staff layoffs. Mallory emphasized that the issue affects teachers and education workers nationwide and requires a multifaceted solution.
The disruptive impact of increased violent incidents in classrooms extends beyond workers to students, creating an unsafe and tense learning environment. Mallory stressed the need for addressing the broader implications of these incidents on the entire school community, emphasizing the critical importance of ensuring a safe and conducive learning environment for all.
