Teacher’s aide working in fear calls for more on-the-job protections

A teacher’s aide who has been viciously assaulted and is now “working in fear” at a school in Melbourne’s inner south is calling for more protection. It comes days after an out-of-control and violent Grade 6 student was suspended after forcing his school into lockdown.

A teacher’s aide who was viciously assaulted by students at a school in Melbourne’s inner south is calling for more on-the-job protection. Generic image

A teacher’s aide who was viciously assaulted by students at a school in Melbourne’s inner south says educators are “working in fear” and more on-the-job protection is desperately needed.

The aide, who asked not to be identified in fear of losing their job, said they endured “horrific abuse” from students daily.

WorkSafe figures obtained by the Leader reveal there have been 68 claims in the past three years from teacher’s aides for “occupational violence or aggression”.

“I’ve been hit with an iPad, I’ve had staplers thrown at me and they’ve threatened to stab me too — I’m basically going to work in fear,” the teacher’s aide told Leader.

“On a daily basis the students are telling me to f--- off and calling me a mother f-----.”

The teacher’s aide said the students abused educators as there were no consequences when they misbehaved.

“These kids need to be held responsible — it just keeps getting swept under the carpet and the problem continues to escalate.

“They’re not getting suspended or being expelled in more severe cases — the school just doesn’t deal with it.”

In another recent case, a boy with complex needs whose out-of-control and violent behaviour resulted in the southeast primary school being repeatedly locked down was suspended last week.

That case has become a quandary for authorities, as children, teachers and parents said they were in constant fear for their safety.

The boy, in Grade 6, has been suspended from the school until the end of the term after a violent incident involving other children.

It has been alleged that violent, aggressive and threatening behaviour from the boy had regularly forced the outer-suburban school in lockdown, though he continued to attend classes.

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Department of Education and Training spokesman Michael Courts said incidents of violence and aggressive behaviour were “relatively rare”.

Victoria’s 1500 public schools record less than two violent incidents per campus every year.

“The safety and wellbeing of our students and staff is always our highest priority.”

Mr Courts said violence and threatening behaviour directed at teachers and staff was totally unacceptable.

He said the State Government had implemented an $8.9 million Protective Schools Package.

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