Shocking new figures have shown that thousands of children have been excluded from schools across the north and north-east in the past year.
A freedom of information request revealed yesterday that 15,951 primary and secondary pupils have been suspended from lessons at schools across Scotland.
In Aberdeenshire, 1,188 pupils were excluded, including eight primary-aged children for attacking school staff with weapons.
Moray Council could only provide date for 2012/13 but its schools had 309 suspensions, including one for stalking a fellow pupil during the period.
Shetland suspended nine pupils last year, including one for supplying drugs to a classmate, and Orkney suspended three.
Aberdeen City Council issued 463 suspensions, Highland Council 628 and Western Isles Council 18.
But the latest overall figures for Scotland are a huge reduction from the peak of 2006/07 where 44,000 pupils were excluded.
Larry Flanagan, general secretary of the Educational Instutitute of Scotland (EIS) union, said assaults on teachers happened “regularly”.
He said: “Most teachers will know a colleague who was the victim of an assault in the classroom.
“If criminal behaviour takes place, the fact it happens in a school it does not excuse it.”
An Aberdeenshire council spokesman said: “The vast majority of pupils in Aberdeenshire are well-behaved and supported by excellent teachers and parents, as well as their wider support networks.
“The relatively low number of cases of disruptive behaviour we deal with are taken seriously and dealt with appropriately, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of both pupils and teachers.”
An Aberdeen City Council spokesman said: “We are working to reduce our exclusion rate through early intervention measures which can help to address problems before we get to the stage of removing a pupil.
“Pupils are only excluded from school as a last resort and in cases where they are being disruptive to the education of their fellow pupils.”
A Moray Council spokesman said: “Exclusion from school is only embarked upon as a last resort, and not before all other options have been explored. Parents are always made aware of any situation that may lead to an exclusion and the schools work with them to avoid this course of action.
“However, it is important that teachers have this ultimate sanction to maintain classroom discipline and minimise disruption to other students.”