School violence escalates

TOWNSVILLE teachers are being punched, scratched and tackled by their students with latest data showing an increase in school violence.

Latest WorkCover data shows an increase in the number of physical attacks on teachers by students in North Queensland schoolyards.

Statistics show there were 14 WorkCover claims lodged relating to assaults on teachers by students in North Queensland between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018. Eleven occurred in the Townsville area.

During the previous financial year there were nine WorkCover claims lodged in North Queensland relating to assaults on teachers by students. All nine occurred in the Townsville area.

Queensland Teachers’ Union Deputy General Secretary Kate Ruttiman said some of the assaults perpetrated by students against teachers could be very violent.

“Incidents that have been reported to the QTU include children fighting, punching, scratching, pulling hair, tackling teachers to get access to security keys, pushing teachers against desks and making online threats,” she said.

“Teachers and school leaders report behaviour incidents using an online module called OneSchool.

“They also report violent incidents through a portal called myHR that registers incidents relating to Workplace Health and Safety.

“The union has seen an increase across the state of incidences of violence against teachers and school leaders.

“Some of these incidents occurred in Townsville.”

A Department of Education spokesman said violence in any form was not tolerated in Queensland state schools.

“There is no higher priority than the safety and wellbeing of students and staff on school grounds,” he said. “The introduction of the department’s ‘ respect our staff, respect our school’ campaign has been important in raising awareness of the need to call out violent or abusive behaviour.”

The education spokesman said principals were responsi- ble for the good order and management of their school and had a range of statutory powers to discipline students and to protect the safety and wellbeing of students and staff.

“This includes suspending or excluding students and banning hostile persons from the school premises,” he said.

“Legislation requires that health and safety incidents are recorded, notified and managed appropriately and within specified time frames.

“The department ensures compliance with workplace health and safety legislation by providing information and systems to assist workplaces to accurately record, notify and manage health and safety incidents.

“Where instances of teacher injuries or illnesses occur, including instances of occupational violence ( physical or psychological harm), the department requires teachers to report to a supervisor or manager as soon as possible.”

The spokesman said teachers who sustained work- related injuries could lodge a workers’ compensation claim through WorkCover.