NEW data shows the number of assaults in the region's public schools has jumped this year, but is still below the state average.
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The Mooki teaching network - which includes primary and high schools in the Liverpool Plains, Gunnedah and Boggabri - has had a total of 14 assaults this year, with four of those on teachers.
Across the state's 110 school networks, the average number of assaults this year was 20.6.
The average number of student-on-student assaults was 14.8, while the average number of teacher assaults was 5.7.
The number of assaults in the Mooki cluster had been on a downward trend, declining from 15 in 2015 to 12 last year.
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The figures were revealed in the recent NSW Budget Estimates. Education Minister Sarah Mitchell is on annual leave and was unable to comment.
A NSW Department of Education spokesperson said the statistics referred only to physical assaults, not verbal abuse.
"Any kind of violent and anti-social behaviour, including physical and verbal assaults, is not tolerated at any school in NSW," the spokesperson said.
"When incidents occur in schools, they are investigated immediately and appropriate action is taken, which can include counselling, suspension or expulsion.
"Schools record cases of inappropriate behaviour and work independently and closely with parents and other agencies, including police, to prevent it and to support or discipline students involved as necessary."
Combined, the networks of Barwon (6), Northern Tablelands (9), Armidale (12), Mooki (14) and Upper Hunter (19) had a total of 60 assaults, 15 of those being on teachers.