Canberra Liberals take zero tolerance on violence in our schools

 

Following a recent report from the Australian Catholic University that highlights ACT principals faced the highest levels of violence in the country, Shadow Minister for Education Jeremy Hanson will today call on the Legislative Assembly to refer this matter to the Standing Committee on Education and Community Inclusion.

The annual survey of 2500 school leaders found:

  • 75.6 per cent of ACT principals faced threats of violence, the highest rate in Australia
  • 73.2 per cent of ACT principals faced actual violence, the highest in Australia
  • Almost 60 per cent of ACT principals are at risk of serious mental health concerns, the highest in Australia.

Mr Hanson said these alarming statistics certainly warrant further investigation through an Assembly Committee to address principal workloads in ACT schools, including by not limited to real hours worked by principals along with violence and threats of violence in schools.

“The Canberra Liberals are very concerned about the workload and levels of violence against principals in the ACT and the Labor-Greens government must act now,” Mr Hanson said.

“We know school funding in the ACT has been cut in real terms over the last decade by the ACT government, highlighted by a recent paper by the Australian Education Union that highlights almost all ACT principals say the Directorate lacks resources to meet demand.

“This Barr-Rattenbury government is more concerned with funnelling money into a tram instead of our education system and the Canberra Liberals are focused on teachers not trams.”

Mr Hanson said the Canberra Liberals agree in principle with the 10-point action plan put forward by the Australian Education Union and should form a large part of the terms of reference for the Assembly committee.

“If the Education Union, principals, teachers and parents are crying out for more action to address these significant concerns, the Minister can no longer turn a blind eye.”

The motion, which will be put forward in the Legislative Assembly today also calls on the committee to report to the Assembly no later than June 29, 2023.