Attacks on staff soar at schools

VIOLENT attacks against North Queensland teachers and staff have surged to record highs, new data has revealed.

A record number of WorkCover claims have been lodged by North Queensland teachers and education staff for assaults and “exposure to occupational violence”.

In the 2018-19 financial year up to the end of May, 22 teachers and 11 staff in the region had lodged claims, a more than 40 per cent increase from the 23 total claims lodged in 2017-18.

There were 14 Workcover claims by North Queensland teachers and staff in both 2016-17 and 2015-16 and 15 in 2014-15.

Queensland Teachers Union president Kevin Bates said violent assaults, verbal or physical, against teachers and education staff have been waved away as “part of the job” for years.

“Our concern is that the rising number (of Workcover claims) is a positive sign because people are reporting the things that are happening,” Mr Bates said.

“The community is now getting a truer picture of what has always been happening in our schools.”

It comes after four students were charged by police for allegedly attacking a gowa State High teacher.

Mr Bates said there was an intrinsic link between violence in schools and domestic and family violence and it was traumatising for everyone in the school community.

Education Minister Grace Grace said acts of violence against teachers and school staff were “simply unacceptable”.

“Our teachers, principals and school staff deserve, and should receive, courtesy and respect,” Ms Grace said.

“They come to school each and every day to share their knowledge with students and they should not fear being assaulted, either by students or others.

“I support schools taking the strongest possible action in response to assaults or threats of assaults against teachers or support staff.”

Ms Grace said the State Government had zero tolerance for violence against staff and so had introduced the Respect Our Staff, Respect Our School program to empower staff to call out abusive behaviour in school settings.

“The increase in the number of Workcover claims in part reflects the success of this program, as well as an enhanced awareness of the support available among staff,” she said. ThurinSchool