In Queensland, a new initiative aimed at ensuring teachers’ safety in schools may lead to an increase in student expulsions and suspensions. Following a significant teachers’ strike, both the government and opposition have turned their focus toward addressing the alarming instances of violence faced by educators in classrooms.
Shadow Education Minister Di Farmer highlighted grim realities, stating that many school staff members endure various forms of abuse, including being sworn at, kicked, and spat upon. Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek referred to these incidents as a form of “modern-day bullying.” Recently, during a parliamentary budget estimates session, it was revealed that one unnamed school experienced an alarming number of violent incidents against teachers, with reports detailing students physically assaulting staff, including a case where a teacher was bitten and another scratched in the face.
Farmer presented a whistleblower’s account revealing that 54 violent incidents occurred at the same school within just six months, with one notable incident involving a student throwing a chair. Langbroek noted that a previous strategy to address workplace violence lapsed under the previous Labor government and was never reinstated. The ongoing issue of workplace violence has also been a significant factor in the stalled negotiations regarding teachers’ working conditions.
As part of the upcoming strategy, Langbroek suggested that schools would be empowered to take firmer action against students exhibiting violent behaviours, allowing principals to issue suspensions more freely compared to the previous administration’s approach. He stated, “We won’t be stopping principals from giving suspensions,” signalling a commitment to enhancing safety protocols in schools.
Additionally, Langbroek drew attention to a report revealing an extensive backlog of $441 million in school maintenance issues, a figure that surpasses the annual maintenance budget by double. This financial concern adds another layer to the challenges facing Queensland’s education system amidst efforts to create a safer working environment for teachers.