LOCAL educationalists have reacted with scepticism to new research being made public in Bournemouth this week, that teachers blame TV catchphrases for the increase in aggressive behaviour among their pupils.

The poll of primary and secondary school teachers claims that students are learning their antisocial behaviour and poor social skills from their favourite TV characters such as stroppy schoolgirl Lauren in the Catherine Tate Show and those in Little Britain.

The research by teaching union ATL is due to be published at its conference at the Bournemouth International Centre, which runs until Thursday.

One secondary school teacher in the survey said: "Comments like Am I bovvered?' and Yeah, whatevah' are terms that are used to insult.

"There is also too much swearing on television.

"It is used so much that it has no dramatic impact in a programme so children use swearing in everyday language as if it is normal."

However, 81 per cent of the teachers surveyed also believe that TV can also have a positive influence on children's behaviour, such as increasing their awareness of social and political issues.

The survey reveals that more than half of teachers had over-heard their students discussing the feud between Jade Goody and Shilpa Shetty on Big Brother, while 53 per cent had heard pupils discussing healthy eating habits, and 40 per cent say their pupils shared a concern about global warming and pollution.

But Andrew Leah, from Poole's School Centred Teacher Training scheme, said: "Who knows if there is a connection? Yes, there maybe a general tenor in this but it remains an unanswered question.

"There could be an element but whether it influences children's behaviour badly is another thing."

David Morgan, NUT representative in Bournemouth, said: "No, not that I've noticed it. I think behaviour problems come from the culture of our time. It is caused by a combination of things including the home environment."