Teacher WorkCover figures soar as classroom assaults explode
Shocking new data shows the number of teachers filing WorkCover claims for assault and violence has almost doubled in just four years.
Education
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Queensland school staff are being assaulted and subjected to violence in record numbers, with new WorkCover figures showing teacher claims have almost doubled in just four years.
New figures on the number of education teacher and other school staff claims regarding assault or an exposure to occupational violence were tabled in parliament this week following a Question on Notice to Education Minister Grace Grace.
The data shows in the most recent full financial year, 2020-21, teachers made 341 claims related to assault or violence, while other staff made a total of 182 claims, with 470 claims accepted in total.
This figures were up 78 per cent on the 2016-17, despite the teaching and staff workforce growing by just 10 per cent in the same time period.
Claims from teachers almost doubled in that period, up from 181, with teachers in the metropolitan region recording the highest number of claims with 84.
The data also shows in just eight months to January 31 this year – which includes the summer school holidays – teachers have made 147 claims related to assault or violence, while other staff have made a further 78 claims.
The Question on Notice detailed the data was not possible to code “according to perpetrator”, meaning there was no breakdown with regards to whether the assault committed was by a student, parent or another person.
Education Minister Grace Grace said there was “no excuse for abusive or violent behaviour in schools”.
“When there is an accident or an incident in a school, staff should have access to make a claim through WorkCover. That’s what it’s there for,” she said.
“In October last year, I launched the occupational violence and aggression prevention strategy in Queensland Parliament.
“The strategy is our commitment to keeping workplaces safe for all staff in Queensland state schools, and regional and corporate offices.”
LNP education spokesman Christian Rowan said all teachers, school staff, students and parents deserve to be safe while at school.
“These damning figures show teachers and staff do not feel safe, with exponential increases in WorkCover claims lodged and accepted across all regions of Queensland over the past five financial years,” he said.
“It is unacceptable that in the past five years, the number of WorkCover claims lodged by Queensland teachers and staff increased by more than 72 per cent, while the number of claims that were accepted skyrocketed by 78 per cent.
“No amount of spin can cover for the fact that at a time when the teacher and other staff workforce has grown by 10 per cent, total WorkCover claims accepted for these hardworking teachers has increased by almost 100 per cent.”
The Queensland Teachers’ Union has strongly advocated for members to report instances of occupational violence, including biting, hitting, kicking or punching.
“The time for action is now, and the Education Minister must release a comprehensive strategy to regain control of safety in our schools, and protect our hardworking teachers and school staff,” Dr Rowan said.
“Students, parents, teachers and school staff deserve better from this government.”
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