Parents need schooling on who's really in charge

EDUCATION is always big in elections, but this week we saw how our schools are often just playthings for politicians.

LEAD BY EXAMPLE: Too many parents teach their kids by example that they can challenge the teacher and confront the principal if they don't get what they want. Picture: iStock

EDUCATION is always big in elections, but this week we saw how our schools are often just playthings for politicians.

Every year they brag about the extra money they throw at schools, but every year the results are getting worse.

Perhaps it's time to examine the evidence before us that has little to do with the money we spend and everything to do with the environment kids are learning in.

A report was released this week that showed a shocking one in three school principals have been assaulted at work.

Some by out of control kids, but many by out of control parents.

In one case a parent threatened to return to the school with a gun and kill the principal.

Schools are meant to be a microcosm of the society students will enter into as adults, teachers are the authority figures, and the principal is the ultimate guardian of the school.

To think that a third have been assaulted is a disgraceful indictment of how far we have let standards of behaviour fall.

We don't need to return to the bad old days of physically punishing kids, but we need to empower teachers to take control of the classroom and this starts with the parents.

While teachers and principals are human and will make mistakes like all of us, parents need to ditch the idea that if their kid gets into trouble it is anything but the kid's fault.

Too many parents teach their kids by example that they can challenge the teacher and confront the principal if they don't get what they want.

Part of life is learning how to swallow your pride, admit your fault and learn from the bad things we all do; not to blame everyone else for our misdeeds and, least of all, to turn to violence.

When we fail to learn such life lessons at school, people graduate to challenging any and everything as adults.

It doesn't cost governments a cent to give teachers true power to take control of their classrooms without being subject to endless and unjustified complaints from students and parents alike for 'assaults' like pulling headphones out of kids' ears.

The next Our Town

FRESH off our special show in Toowoomba, I'm taking my Sky News show back out on the road for another edition of Our Town.

While we'll take the show all over the country this year, we have one more stop in Queensland, Townsville.

We want to get the message out that the city is getting back on its feet and is open for holiday business.

These shows are about two things, telling the great stories of these regional locations and giving locals a good night out.

This show will be one to remember with Dami Im performing live and a very special local guest who will light up the room.

If you are anywhere near Townsville in the last week of March, we'd love to see you.

It's first in, best dressed.

So if you want to come, email me now at [e-mail].