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Addressing Rising Violence in Schools: A Call for Action

Throughout my career in education, which has spanned nearly 15 years as a principal in the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory, I have had the privilege of working alongside dedicated educators and witnessing the growth and success of countless students and their families. However, this rewarding journey has also been marred by experiences of aggression and violence directed at myself and my colleagues from students and their guardians. Initially, I viewed these incidents as unfortunate yet inherent to the role; now, I realize that we have become complacent regarding the alarming levels of violence faced by a predominantly female workforce that would be unacceptable in other sectors. Recent data from the Australian Catholic University’s annual Principal Health, Safety and Wellbeing report underscores the deterioration in conditions for professionals in my field.

As children and young adults navigate their identities and roles in society, they may encounter challenges that lead to conflicts and disruptive behavior. Unfortunately, our educational environments often lack adequate support systems for students with diverse needs. I have personally faced a range of verbal assaults, physical altercations, and threats that can escalate rapidly. One particularly jarring incident involved a volatile confrontation with a distressed parent demanding retribution against a teacher, which ended with the individual visibly breaking down and sharing his struggles with parenting.

Current legislation mandates that principals ensure the safety of both staff and students. This responsibility can require swift, sometimes dangerous decisions in response to unfolding crises. Having left my previous principal position 18 months ago to assume the role of president of the Australian Secondary Principals’ Association, which represents public secondary school leaders nationally, I frequently engage with colleagues nationwide. Their accounts reflect a troubling dichotomy: while our principals remain committed to their roles, the toll that these experiences take on their well-being is significant.

In discussions regarding the root causes of escalating violence within schools, I often point to multiple contributing factors, including the pervasive influence of social media, increasing societal pressures, and the rising prevalence of mental health issues in our communities. Additionally, there is a growing expectation for schools to deliver highly individualized educational experiences—one that we are not fully equipped to meet—while also shouldering the responsibilities traditionally held by social services.

Without urgent and practical measures to address these issues, the consequences may be dire: a loss of experienced principals, exacerbation of teacher shortages, and a detrimental impact on students’ education. Advocating for sustained federal support from government officials like Peter Dutton is crucial to ensure funding for education, enabling reforms under initiatives like the Better Fairer Schools Agreement. We need to prioritize resource allocation, collaboration, and a commitment to continuity to improve conditions for educators.

The challenges of increasing workloads, stress, and workplace violence facing principals extend beyond public schools; recent surveys indicate similar trends in independent and Catholic educational institutions. In response to this pressing issue, my colleague Angela Falkenberg and I previously urged the establishment of a working group through the Education Ministers Meeting to create effective strategies for principal well-being. Recommendations included public campaigns promoting respect and implementing legislative measures to combat inappropriate behavior from parents, akin to the Victorian School Community Safety Order.

Despite our efforts, no action has yet been taken to form a working group, even as data from the ACU continues to reveal worsening conditions over the past 14 years. Acknowledging this, Federal Education Minister Jason Clare has established a National Principals’ Reference Group to advocate for school leaders across various educational sectors. My hope is that this initiative garners sustained bipartisan support and fosters a coordinated response after the upcoming federal election.

While I cherish the time I spent as a principal and remain committed to advocating for my peers who dedicate themselves to their communities, it is imperative that we confront the troubling trend of rising violence against school leaders. If we are to take our education system seriously and safeguard the future of our children, we require meaningful assistance, support, and collaboration from governmental bodies and the community at large.

Source
www.theguardian.com