The Allan Labor Government must address worsening classroom behaviour as a new report reveals workplace violence in Victoria schools has reached a decade high.
The Australian Catholic University’s 2023 Principal Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Survey has found more than one in three Victorian principals were physically targeted last year.
This report follows an OECD report that found “the disciplinary climate in Australia was among the least favourable in the OECD” and that7.2 per cent of principals left the workforce in 2022 – the highest attrition rate of any school employment group.
Shadow Minister for Early Childhood and Education, Jess Wilson, said: “Worsening classroom behaviours are contributing to Victoria’s teacher shortage crisis and will only mean poorer educational outcomes for Victorian students.
“A safe classroom – for students, teachers and principals – is fundamental for students to achieve their best and these reports of increasing violence, threats and intimidation within school communities are deeply concerning.
“The Allan Labor Government must focus on equipping teachers with the skills they need to manage classrooms so that students are engaged and delivering better learning outcomes can remain the focus.”
