One in five teachers at Dutch schools were sworn at or threatened in the last school year, according to an online poll of just over 1,000 teachers.

In addition, 5% of teachers have had to deal with a pupil being physically violent towards them.

‘We must not tolerate this. Schools should have clear rules and punishment guidelines for when pupils overstep the mark,’ Ellen Hondius, of the school safety organisation Stichting School en Veiligheid, told the AD.

Parents are also involved in threatening teachers, news agency ANP reported. One in 10 teachers has been sworn at by parents and one in 20 threatened with physical violence.

One in four teachers who have faced verbal or physical abuse say they now take less pleasure in their jobs.