New push to reduce suspensions and exclusions from public schools, especially Receptions to Year 2s

Hundreds of junior primary kids are being suspended from public schools every year – now the State Government has vowed to put an end to it.

The State Government has vowed to stop suspending hundreds of Reception to Year 2 students each year.

Suspensions and exclusions of young children from public schools will be phased out under a major overhaul of disciplinary practices.

The State Government will spend an extra $15m over four years on a “systemic strategy” to minimise them for all students – but especially Receptions to Year 2s, Indigenous students and children with disabilities or in state care.

It will set reduction targets, with a focus being to stop barring children for minor issues such as not following instructions, minor physical acts and talking in class.

The Advertiser has repeatedly highlighted the trend of more young children being suspended, with 192 boys aged 4-6 barred for up to five days in Term 2, 2019 alone. And while overall suspensions have trended down, there were still 3934 in that one term.

The rate of unruly 4 to 6 year olds being suspended has been on the rise.

A government-commissioned report by Queensland University of Technology’s Professor Linda Graham, released in December, recommended the practice of excluding hundreds of students each year for up to 10 weeks should be abolished.

She found suspensions and exclusions were used too often and for inappropriate or minor reasons.

Most damningly, they were “misused to build a case for funding” for students with disabilities.

Education Minister John Gardner told state parliament yesterday new “data dashboards” would target support to schools that needed it most.

He also flagged better communication with students and parents “about their rights” in navigating complaints and appeals processes, but rebuffed Prof Graham’s call for a dedicated education ombudsman.

Education Minister John Gardner in parliament. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

A “road map” on the changes would be produced for consultation by 2022, with “agreed reforms” rolled out the following year.

The controversial “flexible learning options” program for thousands of at-risk high school students, often in out-of-school settings, will be axed.

While boosting retention rates, it has been criticised for as few as 2 per cent of participants completing their SACE in the normal time frame.

Mr Gardner said alternatives would be explored where education outside school settings would be a “last resort”.

But Opposition education spokesman Blair Boyer questioned whether a replacement was feasible by 2023.

Thousands of students are still being suspended from state schools every year.