Department of Education data shows a steep rise in student suspensions

Teachers are enduring some of the worst student behaviour in years, according to the latest data from the Department of Education. FULL REPORT >>

Teachers are enduring some of the worst student behaviour in many years, according to the latest data from the Department of Education.

The figures show that 2021 is on track for the highest suspension rate in many years, with more than 4300 students suspended in the first two terms alone.

It comes as part of a continual upwards trend in suspensions, the one exception being the year 2020 where only 6790 pupils were suspended - likely due to the period of remote learning.

The most badly behavioured cohorts were years 7, 8, and 9, with the most well-behaved high-schoolers residing in years 11 and 12.

ALARMING TREND: School suspensions are on the rise in Tasmania with the exception of 2020, when students were sent home for remote learning for a brief period.

The increase in school suspensions coincides with a significant rise in the number of staff applying for psychological and stress-related workers compensation.

Throughout the period of 2016 to 2020, the department of education saw a 61 per cent increase in the number of stress-related workers compensation claims.

During that period, suspensions for bullying had decreased significantly, however rates of physical abuse, harassment, and stalking had increased significantly.

Shadow education Minister Josh Willie said the spiralling suspension rates coincided with an “appalling low” supply of school psychologists, social workers, and speech pathologists.

He said there were just 69 school psychologists employed across the entire state, meaning a staff-to-student ratio of one to 890.

As a result, Mr Willie said the waiting list for school psychologists is around four months, while the average time to consult a speech pathologist was around three months.

Mr Willie said the lack of student support services should be blamed on the government, and education Minister Sarah Courtney in particular.

“The school year and classroom should be safe and supportive learning places for all students but sadly on Ms Courtney’s watch, they appear to be anything but,” Mr Willie said.

“It’s become more than abundantly clear Ms Courtney and the government are not interested in working closely with schools and are not willing to provide greater support.”

Minister Sarah Courtney. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

However, Ms Courtney said the government was employing record numbers of professional support staff to assist students with participation and engagement.

Additionally, she said they were investing $8 million in extra funding for trauma support, bumping up the total funding to $22 million.

“We are investing in a number of strategies to address the underlying causes of challenging behaviours, and to support our students to ensure they can learn and grow,” Ms Courtney said.

“Labor’s record on the mental health and wellbeing of students was to cut school nurses – it has taken a Liberal Government to reinstate them and in fact expand the number of school nurses.”

[e-mail]