Massive number of students with disability suspended from Tasmanian schools in 2021

The state government is under fire following the release of new figures showing a staggering number of students with a disability were suspended from Tasmanian state schools last year. SHOCK FIGURES>>>

Alarming new figures have revealed that nearly one in seven children with a disability were suspended from Tasmanian schools last year, including some as young as five.

The statistics – released in response to questions taken on notice in a budget estimates hearing – show that a staggering 937 students with a disability, from Prep to Year 12, were suspended in the 2021 school year.

Of these suspended children, 194 were aged 10 and under, including nine Prep students.

The greatest number of students suspended were in Year 8 (173).

The Education Department defines students with a disability as those receiving a funding adjustment or being supported through Quality Differentiated Teaching Practice. According to the latest data, there are a total of 7064 students who meet this definition across the state.

Since 2020, a needs-based disability funding model has been in place in the Tasmanian state school system, allocating resources to schools based on the requirements of individual students.

Kristen Desmond is a disability education advocate. Picture: Supplied

While the model has been lauded as nation-leading, disability education advocate Kristen Desmond said the newly published suspension figures suggested the government had “fallen asleep at the wheel” since it was implemented.

“Students with disability are at a higher risk of being bullied and teased,” she said. “And they can react to that, and when they do react to that, they are often punished for it.”

“It’s not the model and the way it’s set up that’s the problem, it’s how it’s been implemented.

“I hope these numbers are a wake-up call (for the government).”

Opposition education spokesman Josh Willie said it was “not acceptable” that kids with a disability were being suspended in such high numbers.

“It does nothing for their development, it does nothing to help those families, and all it will do is create more problems down the track,” he said.

Labor's education spokesman Josh Willie.

“(These children) deserve to be engaged in education like every other kid. It’s a fundamental right.”

Mr Willie called on the government to “bring forward” a planned review of the implementation of the needs-based funding model.

Education Minister Roger Jaensch admitted that the government wanted “to see these figures reduced”, saying the Education Department had formed a suspensions working party to “analyse the data and develop strategies to reduce suspension figures”.

“Additional funding has also been provided to schools specifically for students with disabilities, so they can participate on the same basis as their peers – with the aim to support more successful engagement,” he said.

Education Minister Roger Jaensch. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“It is important to note that suspension of a student is a least preferred action, and all efforts are made by schools to resolve unacceptable behaviour before suspension occurs.

“However, it is sometimes necessary to suspend students to support the safety of a student, other students, staff, and school community members.”

Australian Education Union Tasmania president David Genford said the high suspension numbers highlighted a “serious” shortage of professional support staff in state schools.

“Student suspensions are a last resort for schools, but a shortfall in resources that support students and teachers means preventative and proactive measures that reduce suspensions are too often missing,” he said.

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Originally published as Massive number of students with disability suspended from Tasmanian schools in 2021