Teachers reveal violence, threats and enormous workloads are forcing them to quit

Burnt-out NSW teachers say incidents of violence, threats and enormous workloads are forcing them to quit as alarming data reveals relationships with students have worsened.

NSW teachers say incidents of violence, burnout and unmanageable workloads are forcing them to leave the profession. Picture: Getty Images

NSW teachers say incidents of violence, burnout and unmanageable workloads are forcing them to leave the profession as alarming data shows their relationships with students have worsened.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal teachers from state and private schools have detailed a litany of complaints about their working conditions, saying they are being “overworked” and “underpaid”.

It comes as a new survey by Education Perfect, who run learning and assessment platforms in schools, reveals almost a fifth of teachers feel that relationships between students have worsened.

The survey of 400 teachers nationally found more than two thirds believed teacher-student relationships were the most crucial factor for effective learning.

At least 16 per cent of teachers said workload management was the biggest factor that could most harm progress in teacher-student relationships over the next one to five years.

Meanwhile, more than 10 NSW teachers said they had quit in recent months or had considered leaving due to ongoing stress, incidents of violence and threats.

NSW teachers say they are going on workers compensation amid feeling “enormous stress”. Picture: Supplied

A NSW secondary teacher, who had been in the profession for more than 20 years, said she had quit teaching last year after being on workers’ compensation.

The teacher said she felt “enormous stress” on the job.

“I have felt so depressed due to the toxic work environment I work in,” she said.

“I’ve had pens thrown at me in the classroom and the workload is just too much to handle.

“I’ve lost confidence in my ability to teach,” she said.

Another Sydney-based educator said he had experienced ongoing threats from parents.

“I have been constantly yelled at over the phone by parents. Their tone can be quite threatening,” he said.

“More needs to be done to protect teachers’ safety, we are already overworked and underpaid.”

The latest NSW Education Department incident log also details thousands of incidents in public schools, including multiple reports of staff members being assaulted on the job by students.

“Staff member reports a staff member was assaulted by a student who was also in possession of a weapon on school grounds,” one report said.

James Santure, head of product impact at Education Perfect, said disruptive behaviour was one of the biggest challenges facing schools in NSW and across Australia.

“It’s not just a discipline issue, it’s a sign that students are disengaged, overwhelmed and struggling emotionally,” Mr Santure said.

A NSW Department of Education spokesman said: “We have a zero-tolerance approach to violence and disrespect in the workplace.”

“Since 2023 teacher vacancies in NSW public schools have plummeted by 40 per cent, while the resignation rate is now at its lowest level since 2021,” he said.

“Along with a once-in-a-generation pay increase and a reduction of the admin burden to ensure teaching in NSW is an occupation of choice, we are constantly working on making our classrooms safe spaces for everyone.”

Independent Education Union of Australia NSW/ACT Branch Secretary Carol Matthews said everyone has the right to a safe workplace.”

“Employers must take immediate and decisive action in response to any cases of harassment of school staff,” she said.

“There must be a policy of zero tolerance of harassing or worse behaviour in every workplace, and in every school.”