❓ Mr. Rundle questions the Minister for Education about violence in schools and support for teachers. The Minister responds by highlighting government actions to support principals in excluding violent students and ensuring a safe environment, while acknowledging societal factors.
AnsweredQoN 197Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
SCHOOLS —
VIOLENCE
197. Mr P.J. RUNDLE to the Minister for Education:
I refer to the recent spate of
violence in schools, and weapons being brought to school by students as young
as year 2, along with the profound statement by a teacher that there is no
shortage of teachers in WA, rather, there is a shortage of teachers who are
willing to work in WA.
(1) What is the minister doing to support those teachers who
are under siege?
(2) Is the
minister's bureaucratic processes on exclusion making it too difficult
to move-on violent and disruptive students?
VIOLENCE
197. Mr P.J. RUNDLE to the Minister for Education:
I refer to the recent spate of
violence in schools, and weapons being brought to school by students as young
as year 2, along with the profound statement by a teacher that there is no
shortage of teachers in WA, rather, there is a shortage of teachers who are
willing to work in WA.
(1) What is the minister doing to support those teachers who
are under siege?
(2) Is the
minister's bureaucratic processes on exclusion making it too difficult
to move-on violent and disruptive students?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) This
is an incredibly important issue. Before I answer that, can I wish Kirsten all
the best of luck. Thank you for all your service.
In regard to this issue of violence
in schools, we have done more than any government in this area. The former
Minister for Education and Training introduced policies in this area, and in
the last year I enhanced those policies. We made it quite clear to all
principals that we will have their backs if they want to exclude students for violent behaviour. We also said we
have their backs if they want to seek a prohibition order for a parent
entering a school premises if they are engaging in abusive behaviour towards
teachers. Exclusion rates have actually gone up, so the process is not too
bureaucratic; the process is appropriate. Ideally, we would not want to exclude
any student from a WA school, but of course the safety of students and staff is
very, very important.
As I said, in July last year, I revised
the 10-point action plan that was put in place by the previous minister, called Standing together against violence . We made it quite clear, and we
received overwhelming support from all the
stakeholders who were very appreciative that the state government and
Department of Education have made a stance on this. But as the member
for Roe would realise, schools are a reflection of society and communities. The
member cannot blame the school environment for someone bringing a knife onto the premises. It is a disturbing
trend, but I can assure the member that the Minister for Education , the
Cook Labor government and the Department of Education are supporting our principals
and teachers to ensure that we have a safe work environment for staff and a proper
learning environment for students.
is an incredibly important issue. Before I answer that, can I wish Kirsten all
the best of luck. Thank you for all your service.
In regard to this issue of violence
in schools, we have done more than any government in this area. The former
Minister for Education and Training introduced policies in this area, and in
the last year I enhanced those policies. We made it quite clear to all
principals that we will have their backs if they want to exclude students for violent behaviour. We also said we
have their backs if they want to seek a prohibition order for a parent
entering a school premises if they are engaging in abusive behaviour towards
teachers. Exclusion rates have actually gone up, so the process is not too
bureaucratic; the process is appropriate. Ideally, we would not want to exclude
any student from a WA school, but of course the safety of students and staff is
very, very important.
As I said, in July last year, I revised
the 10-point action plan that was put in place by the previous minister, called Standing together against violence . We made it quite clear, and we
received overwhelming support from all the
stakeholders who were very appreciative that the state government and
Department of Education have made a stance on this. But as the member
for Roe would realise, schools are a reflection of society and communities. The
member cannot blame the school environment for someone bringing a knife onto the premises. It is a disturbing
trend, but I can assure the member that the Minister for Education , the
Cook Labor government and the Department of Education are supporting our principals
and teachers to ensure that we have a safe work environment for staff and a proper
learning environment for students.
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