Aggressive parents facing schoolyard ban

Principals will have the power to ban aggressive parents from schools amid fears violent outbursts are compromising the safety of staff and students.

Principals to ban aggresive mums and dads from schools.

Principals will be given the power to ban aggressive or violent parents from their schools under radical new laws to be introduced in Victoria.

Mums and dads would face immediate 14-day bans and principals given extraordinary powers to block entry to schools for up to a year. Parents who breach the ban would face fines of up to $10,000.

The new laws would also allow schools to ban online parent bullies that engage in threatening or abusive communication through social media and other channels.

Acting Premier and Education Minister James Merlino said the tough measure was needed to keep students and staff safe in extreme circumstances.

It follows the latest Australian Principal Occupational, Health, Safety and Wellbeing Survey that revealed more than 40 per cent of principals reported being exposed to threats or physical violence from students or parents last year.

“No one should be threatened or intimidated at work or at school — that’s why we’re introducing these new laws to protect staff, students and their families,” Mr Merlino said.

“These vital new measures will empower our senior school leaders to take necessary actions when inappropriate behaviour is being levelled towards people in the school community.”

Principals given extraordinary powers to block parents’ entry to schools for up to a year.

The proposed laws, part of the Education and Training Reform Amendment (Protection of School Communities) Bill 2021, will be introduced to parliament on Tuesday.

They would also allow bans to extend to any other places where school events are held.

But banned parents would retain the right to communicate with the school and be informed on their child’s education.

Opposition leader Michael O’Brien backed the state government’s proposed new laws.

In a rare show of support, Mr O’Brien said his party had welcomed the Victorian government’s announcement, as reported by the Herald Sun on Tuesday.

“This is something that we have been calling for, for some time,” he said.

Mr O’Brien said the laws were greatly needed, especially given the current situation at Shepparton, where violence in the schoolyard is rife.

He said most parents formed part of a cohesive school community, but said sadly there were some times where parents “crossed a line”.

“It’s important that principals have the power to be able to deal with those rogue parents,” he said.

But Mr O’Brien said he hoped any new powers would be used “very, very sparingly”.

“We do welcome this idea, we want to obviously see the details of the legislation, but the principle is one that we very much support,” Mr O’Brien said.

The opposition leader added the Victorian government’s proposed laws should also be applied to unruly students.

“Too many principals have told us that they have made decisions to expel or suspend students that have been overturned by the department,” he said.

“If the Premier and the government want to back school principals, and they should, they shouldn’t just do it in relation to rogue parents, they should also do it in relation to some rogue kids as well.”

Opposition leader Michael O’Brien hopes any new powers will be used ‘very, very sparingly’. Picture: Josie Hayden

Victorian Principals Association president Andrew Dalgleish welcomed the proposal.

He said teachers and principals were routinely subjected to aggressive behaviour that in some instances turned physical.

“There are times when violence occurs,” Mr Dalgliesh said.

“Most high schools have excellent relationships with their communities, with the parents, with the carers and other adults, and they’re inherently a really safe environment, but we know that there are times that this breaks down.

Education Minister James Merlino said the tough measure was needed. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

“I know from colleagues who have encountered the physical side that the effect is real and the trauma that they face can have long-term and damaging consequences.

“My understanding is that this is really for those extreme cases. It’s an option that can be used.

“It’s for those small minority where the line is crossed or there’s a real breach around that expectation of behaviour within our communities.”

He said parents lashed out for a range of reasons, including frustration that students were not achieving academically or perceptions that they had been treated unfairly.

“There’s no hard and fast rule there but when emotions are involved, it boils over,” Mr Dalgliesh said.

A state government spokesman said teacher unions, school associations, parent associations and Victoria Legal Aid had been consulted on the proposed laws.