Australian Catholic University survey of 2300 school principals reveals alarming working conditions

Worsening violence in schools is prompting more than half of South Australia’s school leaders to consider quitting their jobs.

Two in every five principals at South Australian schools experienced violence, threats and bullying last year, shocking new figures reveal.

Some have reported parents stalking them, sharing their personal details online or threatening to confront them with a gun.

The latest findings of an annual survey reveal worsening job conditions have prompted more than half of SA’s school leaders to “often seriously consider” leaving the profession.

Researchers at the Australian Catholic University (ACU) surveyed 2300 principals around the country and found reports of violence, threats and bullying were at their highest levels since the first survey was conducted 13 years ago.

For the first time, the questionnaire also examined intentions to remain in the workforce.

Australian Catholic University’s Institute for Positive Psychology and Education Professor Herb Marsh. Picture: Supplied.

ACU Professor Herb Marsh said “if only half” of the principals who intended to quit did so “there would be an exodus of more than 500 school leaders”.

The survey found “sheer volume of work” was the top cause of stress for principals, followed by a lack of time to focus on teaching and concerns for students’ mental health.

SA Primary Principals Association president Tobias O’Connor said members had told him of being scratched or bitten by young children struggling to regulate their emotions, and parents talking about “coming back to the school with a gun, or (threatening) ‘You better watch when you’re driving home’.”

“We’ve had principals report being stalked … or a child of theirs has been followed home.

“There are Facebook groups that exist where parents will use it as an open forum to slander the principal or share confidential information.”

Mr O’Connor said “all the supports you would expect” were provided by the Education Department and police but the incidents were “alarming”.

The state government paid SA Police and private security firms more than $800,000 to patrol public schools in 2022.

Education Minister Blair Boyer said the government also funds behaviour specialists, parent liaisons and other support for principals.

Mr Boyer has hosted a roundtable on violence in schools and banned mobile phones in secondary schools last year, which he said had improved student behaviour.

His department is now reviewing the role of school principal to “prioritise the key elements … and take away the administrative tasks”.

This includes shifting responsibility for organising annual playground inspections from individual leaders to the department.