Three in four principals in Canberra have been subjected to threats and physical violence — the highest rate in the country — according to a new survey of school leaders.
The Australian Catholic University (ACU) surveyed 2,500 principals nationwide about their mental health and wellbeing.
The Australian Principal Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Survey 2022 found rates of violence and intimidation against principals were at their highest level since the survey began in 2011.
ACU investigator and former principal Paul Kidson said a third of the violence and abuse came from parents.
"Some of these individual circumstances are complex, and I don't want to minimise the complexity that some of them could have," he said.
"But it's the attitude that says: it's my right as a parent or caregiver to be threatening and be abusive."
In the ACT, 73.2 per cent of principals who responded to the survey reported being subjected to physical violence, while 75.6 per cent noted they had been threatened.
'Tempers are frayed, stresses are high'
Mr Kidson said there had also been a 64 per cent jump in the number of respondents who had triggered a "red flag" for risks of serious mental health concerns.
Researchers found the number of principals seeking to quit or retire early had tripled in one year due to ongoing offensive behaviour, heavy workloads, lack of time, and staff shortages.
Mr Kidson said COVID-19 lockdowns had exacerbated the problems.
"We've been through a very, very difficult past few years: tempers are frayed, stresses are high," he said.
"[It's a combination of] the stresses that some students have been experiencing, and teachers in trying to manage that.
"It's okay to have conflict, but it's not okay to have conflict in this particular way."
ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry said the high territory results could be because Canberra had "a highly educated community, and perhaps higher expectations on our schools than everywhere else in the country".
But she promised to talk with principals to find out what more could be done to address the workplace safety problems.
"It's about understanding from school principals what we can do to support them best, rather than just making it up on our own and imposing that on them," she said.
Ms Berry said work was already underway to improve the culture in schools.
"We have been working very closely with our schools around implementing our Positive Behaviour for Learning framework which is about a whole culture shift within our schools around positive and respectful relationships," she said.
"We've implemented that in nearly half of our schools. It does take time to implement that culture change within our schools."
ACT education union calls for action plan
In a statement, Australian Education Union ACT branch president Angela Burroughs said the survey findings were due to a lack of effective action by the territory government.
"We know what the problems are. It is time to stop talking and start acting," she said.
"We cannot wait any longer.
"Our members deserve respect, and they have a right to be safe in their workplace."
The union wants the government to immediately implement a 10-point action plan that includes a commitment to direct consultation with staff and unions, funding for measures to address occupational risks, clear guidance for policies on suspensions, and banning parents who have been violent or abusive from school sites.
ACT Principals Association co-president Andy Mison said national action was needed to address the growing threats of violence and abuse.
"This is disturbing further evidence of a decline that's been happening probably for about 10 years; it's a national issue," he said.
Mr Mison said the study was a chance for people to re-think their attitude toward educators.
"What do we want for our kids?" he said.
"What is it that we want for future generations? What sort of society do we want to live in?
"Honestly, most of us are here in schools because we love it. We really care about our kids and we're really passionate about the future for the country."
