Community backs striking teachers demanding tougher action on classroom violence

Chronicle readers have rallied behind striking Queensland teachers demanding better protection from classroom violence that has seen WorkCover claims surge 715 per cent. WHAT YOU SAID

Hundreds of Darling Downs teachers gathered in Queens Park on November 25, 2025 during a statewide strike.

Chronicle readers have taken to social media to show their support for the thousands of state school teachers who went on strike this week.

The Queensland Teachers Union called the strike after its members rejected the State Government’s latest enterprise bargaining offer.

The teachers were offered an 8 per cent pay rise over three years and a taskforce to investigate classroom violence.

While the want more money, they have also pressed for strong commitments on safety, including elevating teacher to ‘public officers’ under the criminal code, so that offences committed against them by students or parents carry a tougher penalty.

New data from Safe Work Australia shows a 715 per cent increase in WorkCover claims arising from workplace violence in the past 10 years.

They want guarantees for stand down time after incidents of violence and better incentives to attract new teachers to the profession.

In response, the state government has signalled it wants the negotiations to move to arbitration.

Recent articles published by The Chronicle have triggered an outpouring of support from the community.

The Queensland Teachers Union is calling for better conditions around safety and occupational violence, and better pay.

“School behaviour is out of control. In what life does the perpetrator get more attention, care, services and support than the victim,” Sharon Devereux said.

“The abuse and violence is starting very young these days and there are those parents that will support with these behaviours and are more than happy to work with educators, however, there are many that drop them at the door and teachers have to just deal with it,” Chele Schumacher said.

“Sadly it impacts on those children that want to be in the classroom.”

“Since when should a teacher have to put up with a Year 1 student hitting and throwing stuff at them,” Angela Browning said.

“I’m sorry but parents need to be held accountable as well as the school principals. Too quickly we blame autism spectrum or some other “learning” disorder. When is enough enough?”

“I do not agree with strikes but I suppose necessary in very rare circumstances,”

Chris Hope said.

“What concerns me is teachers being expected to be parents and the increasing decline in children’s attitude.

“Maybe some of the identified illnesses and the drugs used to control outcomes may be the cause.

“I really think an increase in special school builds are necessary to take the pressure off teachers that just want to teach and separating children that need specially trained teachers”

“What’s wrong with our society? Hard working people turning against hard working people,” Haych Dee said.

“All the comments about teachers having short days and holidays and leaving kids in the lurch.

No one saying, ‘why are our politicians being paid so much while people are struggling?’”

Originally published as Community backs striking teachers demanding tougher action on classroom violence