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Updated 24 September 2004, 11.20 

Bullying is a big problem at school - and not just for pupils. Teachers can also be victims of the school bullies.
So, have you ever seen this happen in the classroom?
If so, is it the kids who bully pupils that are responsible for it?
Are teachers easy victims of bullies because it is difficult for them to fight back?
And do you think teachers need more power to stop the bullies pushing them around?
Whatever your experiences, e-mail and let us know.
Unfortunately this topic is now closed but there are Comments pages on other subjects on the main Chat index.
If a teacher gets bullied it means they're weak and have no control, normally pupils run when they see teachers coming! Penelope, 14, London
Well, some of my teachers that are new to my school are kind of bullied, because a couple of idiot eighth graders think that they can take over the class. But I have a really awesome science teacher who overheard what was happening, and now if those kids do anything like that again, she'll 'deal with them'... Katherine, 13, USA
Yes I do think teachers are getting bullied. At our school the teachers get called names, swore at, pushed and their lessons are always disrupted on purpose. Richard, 15, Stalybridge
I think that kids do play up to teachers sometimes even bully them but I think that all it really is is them acting to their friends! They just want to be popular which is really sad! Emma, 13 Yeovil
At my school, loads of teachers that were new left last year. This was because of the harassment the kids in my class and in my year gave them a really hard time. One teacher even ended up running out of class crying. I feel really sorry for all those teachers and know what it feels like when you are getting bullied. I think it should stop, now! Susie, 13, Belfast
Many of the teachers at my school have left because they can't handle the threats they receive from children. I don't like the bullying they get, it's horrible and unnecessary. Jessica, 12, East Sussex
I go to a private school, and as far as I know, teachers are respected. In front of them, anyway. And I've never heard of any physical violence towards any of them. Louise, 13, Banstead
Not where I am now - but at a previous school my maths teacher stood next to a wall and repeatedly banged his head against it. The class just weren't listening to him. Natalie, 14, Kent
One of our science teachers is different to all other teachers because she doesn't say words correctly and all the year tens and elevens repeat and take the mick out of her voice. Georgia, 12, Lincolnshire
I think that teachers are treated terribly by a lot of students, it is just that first appearance that really gives a lot away for a teacher. They bottle up their emotions with anger and give the pupils detentions! But inside they are weeping and it saddens me to think how cruel some students can be, I mean I want an education and I know I am NOT alone! Elycia, 13, Stevenage
To be honest, kids are cruel. Brutal actually. There are more kids than there are adults in a class, and if they start to act out that leaves the teacher with one big problem. That happens a lot in my school. I figure that's bullying. Chelsey, 14, Durham
We had an older female teacher at our school and gradually during the year we made her life hell by not listening or handing in work. Eventually she cracked and ran out of the room and we all felt really bad. After this, I am totally against messing or bullying teachers. Katie, 14, Stockport
None of my teachers are bullied as such. We just have a bit of fun and tease them about minor stuff and they go along with it. Michelle, 13, Huddersfield
This hasn't happened in any of my classes, but supposedly in someone else's class a teacher broke down crying, and in a school near me, two boys were expelled 'cos they sent death threats to a teacher, and he had a nervous breakdown. Tom, 13, Epsom
One teacher started our school last year and kids are always taking the mick out of him. I think it makes it worse because he is easily wound up. Natalie, 14, London
I was disgusted when I saw the report, I mean I have been bullied a lot and I know how it feels. Teachers are there to help us, nasty or not, they should not be taken advantage of. No wonder there is a shortage of teachers. Why should they try to help people who just throw all their efforts back in their face? I know I wouldn't. Sherina, 15, Mill Hill
A lot of the new teachers at my school are getting bullied especially the ones who are overweight. They handle it quite well but they aren't very good at teaching because they are too busy sorting out the other kids who are being rude to them. Ellie, 14, Taunton
My new tutor is from America, and everyone teases him about his accent. Thidarat, 13, Hastings
There is a new teacher at my school and the people in my class just take the mick and don't listen just because he is new. I think children are getting out of hand now because teachers are not strict enough. Lynne, 11, Perth
That's ridiculous. Teachers are supposed to control students, not be harassed. I think if teachers cry and get upset about students giving them a hard time, they shouldn't be teachers because they can't do their job properly. Hannan, 13, Newcastle
At our school pupils think that they are harder than the bullies. They call them names and other stuff like that. They think that they can do it to anyone. Some of our teachers like our English teacher just bursts out the room crying. Simon, 14, Birmingham
The teacher in my class gets bullied by a gang and she always starts to cry halfway through class. Once she came in with a broken arm. Claudia, 14, Portsmouth
One of my teachers was asked if they "Wanna Fight" by one of the year 11s at our school. The Year 11 yelled swear words at him and kicked him, and also hurt him in a lot more ways than that. The teacher nearly had to go to hospital; but the school took care of it. It was scary. Martha, 12, Somerset
Some teachers in my school have left because of bullying, but if they are being bullied why don't they understand what kids like me who are being bullied are going through? They never believe me and tell me to stand up for myself so why don't they? Cathy, 15, Bristol
I think teachers should try to handle being bullied the right way. i.e. talking to parents of pupils. Not breaking down crying or losing control. Which is what a teacher at my school used to do. Daisy, 13, Maidstone
No one at my school has! I hope it does not happen though. People may think it is funny but it isn't really. It can hurt peoples feelings. Lou, 11, Milton Keynes
I think the bullying just goes on at secondary schools mostly because I'm in year 10. Since year 8, teachers just get called names by the annoying "townies" at the back row of our class. They make lessons hell by screaming, shouting, yelling and stressing out the teacher on purpose. Even acting really childish by playing silly mobile ring tones over and over again and pretending their parents are ringing them!! I feel really sorry for the teachers in a way but that soon goes away when they set me HOMEWORK! Rachel, 14, Hitchin
Quite a few teachers in my school are getting bullied, and some teachers can handle it well, but like my maths teacher, she just cries and runs out the door, and by her doing that, the bullies think they can do it to anyone. Lozzi, 14, Brighton
I'd like to say that none of our teachers are being bullied. I didn't know any teachers were bullied. Felix, 9, Shrewsbury
We'd like to say that teachers at our school don't get bullied at all. We're surprised that teachers get bullied anyway! Not even children get bullied at our school. Luke, 9, Shropshire
My teacher started crying after one lesson because she couldn't cope with one person shouting at her. But most teachers don't let it get to them. Karen, 13, Sutton
I have seen it happen many times in my school. It's always the kids who pick on me and my friends since we're the so called 'swots'. Often the teachers don't even send them out of the classroom. Julliette, 13, Cardiff
I think that teachers that are being bullied should stand up for themselves and be brave. Hannah, 10, Shrewsbury
I have never seen it happen and I hope it never does. I hope it stops because it is cruel. Millie, 9, Shrewsbury
Quite a few teachers at my school have cracked up after kids giving them such a hard time. I can see now that that is the same as being bullied. Jim, 14, Durham
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