The number of children permanently excluded from schools is increasing as heads mount a crackdown on unruly pupils.

Official figures out today show a 10 per cent rise in the bans on comprehensive pupils and a 19 per cent jump in the number of primary school children excluded from the classroom. Estelle Morris is said to be "relaxed" about the increased use of exclusion - the first rise since 1997.

Forum Response: Association of Teachers and Lecturers

Julie Grant, president of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, told ePolitix.com: "Forcing teachers to keep disruptive pupils in the classroom inevitably has a negative effect on the rest of the class and bad behaviour is driving good teachers out of the profession. The government has finally recognised that teachers need support in dealing with unruly pupils.

"But it is essential that all excluded pupils receive full time education in properly staffed special units otherwise we are simply shifting the problem out onto the streets."

Forum Response: National Union of Teachers

Doug McAvoy, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, told ePolitix.com: "It comes as no surprise to me that permanent exclusions have gone up.

"That increase is simply an indicator of the problems schools face from a minority of children whose behaviour is totally unacceptable. I urge the secretary of state to acknowledge that in both primary and secondary schools decisions on permanent exclusions are being taken by headteachers with proper justification.

"No-one must forget that children and young people have a right to learn without having their safety and enthusiasm undermined by the behaviour of a few.

"As our recent survey on unacceptable pupil behaviour confirmed 80 per cent of teachers think that pupil behaviour has worsened in the last few years.

"Government must make sure that schools receive the staffing, support and training which is necessary to tackle unacceptable pupil behaviour and that those who are excluded receive the education their needs demand, whether in units or special schools."

Forum Response: Professional Association of Teachers

Jean Gemmell, general secretary of the Professional Association of Teachers, told ePolitix.com: "As a teachers' union, PAT is deeply concerned by current levels of disruptive pupil behaviour and the exclusions that result from that behaviour. However, head teachers must have the authority to decide if and when a particular pupil should be excluded, in the best interests of that child, the other children in the school and of the teachers.

"Poor behaviour by pupils is a key issue influencing teachers to leave the profession as well as dissuading graduates from becoming teachers. According to a recent article in The Observer, half of all male prisoners have previously been expelled from school and a third were regular truants, and according to Mori research for the Youth Justice Board, one in four school children have committed a crime in the last 12 months.

"The recruitment and retention of teachers will not improve significantly unless the behaviour issue is addressed by early, appropriate, therapeutic intervention, instead of by punitive measures which come too late. Excluded pupils need appropriate care and education. Properly resourced learning support units are vital if we are to keep disruptive pupils off the streets, out of trouble and in education."Teachers need the support of parents, the media and society to help to resolve pupils' problem behaviour. We need to engage parents more in education and encourage them to foster in their children a greater respect for education and a desire for learning. Indulging in disruptive behaviour or playing truant must not be seen as 'cool', but as blighting youngsters' future success in life."