WorkCover claims for teachers abused at school on the rise

More than 280 Queensland teachers and school staff have lodged WorkCover claims after being assaulted or exposed to occupational violence this financial year, it has been revealed.

MORE than 280 Queensland teachers and school staff have lodged WorkCover claims after being assaulted or exposed to occupational violence this financial year, it has been revealed.

Already 182 teachers and 107 other staff have lodged claims, while last year 257 teachers and 140 other staff did the same, revealed in response to a question on notice from the LNP.

The released data showed despite only being part way into the current financial year, WorkCover claims from teachers had already surpassed those in FY14-15, 15-16 and 16-17.

So far this financial year 139 teachers and staff in metropolitan Brisbane and Queensland’s southeast have lodged WorkCover claims relating to violence or assault.

The number of teachers lodging WorkCover claims with regards to violence is on the rise.

Shadow Minister for Education Jarrod Bleijie said “schools need to be safe learning environments for our teachers and students”.

“Teachers and school staff have such an important role in the lives of young Queenslanders and they deserve respect,” he said.

“They don’t deserve to be treated like punching bags.”

Education Minister Grace Grace said the government was investing heavily in supporting teaching and school staff, and that they “should not fear being assaulted at work, either by students or others”.

“That’s why we introduced the Respect our Staff, Respect our School program,” she said.

“This is an awareness program which empowers staff to call out violent or abusive behaviour in the school setting.

“We are also investing $31.1 million over four years to deliver four regional Centres of Learning and Wellbeing (CLAWs). Centres in Mount Isa and Roma are already open, while centres in Atherton and Emerald will be open soon.”

Minister Grace also said while one act of violence against a teacher was a concern, it was worth noting the WorkCover claims were overall a small proportion of staff.

But the rising abuse of school teachers and staff has been a hot topic in Queensland.

The most recent annual Australian Principal Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing survey released last month showed that almost half of all school principals were threatened with violence in 2018, and a third physically attacked.

In February the principal of The Gap State High School told parents in a school newsletter that attacks on teachers had reached “unacceptable” levels, and derogatory emails and social media posts would be investigated.

Principal Anne McLauchlan said she “had reflected on the incidents of abuse my staff and I, as principal, have endured at the hands of a minority of parents over the last twelve months”.

“Nearly every one of these incidents involved social media or email,” she said.

“On two occasions, parents have been directed off the grounds due to their hostility.”