Violence against school principals unacceptable and must be addressed

A new schools action plan to be released by the Hodgman Government this week must address the disturbing trend of increased threats and assaults against school principals.

Shadow Education Minister Josh Willie said the latest annual Australian Principal Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing survey compiled by the Australian Catholic University revealed alarming increases in offensive behaviour directed at school principals.

“Principals undertake a stressful role with high rates of burnout and huge workloads,” Mr Willie said.

“It’s shocking that this latest report reveals 49 per cent of principals were threatened with violence last year and 46 per cent were actually attacked and this trend has been increasing since the survey was first published in 2011.

“The highest number of threats of violence were in government primary schools and female staff members are the most likely to be targeted.

“Minister Rockliff should be encouraging community leaders to speak out and support our schools and principals against anti-social behaviours.

“It’s time to analyse closely the role of principals, the administrative burden and look for ways for them to spend more time in classrooms undertaking educational leadership – which is what they are trained for.

“If that means more resources, well that should be included in the Action Plan.

“Will Jeremy Rockliff address this issue in his action plan which is due to be released this week?

“At the same time the Hodgman Government is continuing to try and enforce its unfair and unrealistic two per cent wage cap on teachers, Mr Rockliff must realise it will do nothing to help Tasmania retain the best principals and it does nothing to help attract quality aspiring principals when they are being treated so poorly.”