The ICTU conference has endorsed a proposal permitting teachers to hold 'refuse to teach' ballots in schools that fail to adequately tackle violent or disruptive pupils.
Delegates heard that last year in Northern Ireland 262 teachers were victims of violent attacks, however only seven students were expelled.
These assaults were only the tip of the iceberg and did not include verbal abuse and cyber bullying.
Delegates heard that disruptive pupils are causing stress to teachers causing many to leave the profession early.
Congress also passed a motion supporting ESB unions in their campaign to oppose the breakup of the ESB.
