Region tops for crime in schools
GOLD Coast and Logan schools are the worst in the state for illegal use of drugs and weapon assaults, according to new data.
In the four years to 2016, the South-East education district, which includes Coast schools, recorded 5309 instances of students guilty of physical misconduct using a weapon.
The North Coast district recorded 4910, followed by the Brisbane metropolitan area with 4003 recorded offences.
The Gold Coast also recorded the highest number of students facing suspensions for illicit substance use with 296 incidents, followed by 254 for the North Coast and 213 in Brisbane.
On the Glitter Strip and in Logan, 1348 students have been found with illegal drugs in the reporting period from 2012-14 – almost a third of the offences throughout the state.
Education Department records indicated the weapons on campuses involved knives, guns, scissors, chemicals, rocks, syringes, glass, machetes, tasers and improvised weapons.
The Bulletin in a special report series in 2013 first revealed the staggering increase in drug-related incidents in Coast schools.
Students using guns, baseball bats, hammers and knives in gang-like tactics were bullying and intimidating other students and even teachers.
LNP Shadow Education Minister Tracy Davis said yesterday an alarming rise in the number of school kids found with weapons on campus was occurring across Queensland.
“For most students, schools are exciting places with many possibilities and new adventures. But first and foremost, they should be a safe place to learn,” she said.
“Sadly, hundreds of students are turning Queensland state schools into danger zones by bringing weapons on to school grounds.”
Ms Davis said she feared the Government was putting up the white flag to weapons in schools.
“Labor’s priorities are just all wrong – instead of stopping Glocks (pistols) and knives in the schoolyard, they ban Christmas cards,” she said.
Education Minister Kate Jones last month urged parents and schools to work together to prevent violence.