Queensland school principals are facing pressure from the education department to reduce the number of student suspensions, the teachers' union says.
Queensland Department of Education staff have been calling school leaders to question them about the use of suspensions and exclusions, according to the Queensland Teachers' Union (QTU).
The union has pushed back against the crackdown on school discipline by arguing that principals are best placed to make decisions about behaviour management, and schools should not have to tolerate violent behaviour.
The QTU has since instructed members that it rejects the notion of behaviour reviews for schools, and has directed school leaders not to participate in the reviews until the department had provided a statewide, evidenced, and resourced approach to behaviour management.
The union also said its state council would consider calling for industrial action, including a work ban, on participating in the reviews unless the education department includes the physical and psycho-social safety of all students and employees in its proposed behaviour review framework.
Suspensions stubbornly high
It comes after long-term criticism of the rising rate of suspensions across Queensland state schools — where a student can be given a short suspension of up to 10 days, a long suspension of up to 20 days, and an exclusion where the student is asked to leave.
Queensland state school suspensions and exclusions | |
|---|---|
2021 |
83,095 |
2020 |
68,474 |
2019 |
82,944 |
2018 |
85,662 |
2017 |
76,798 |
Source: Queensland Department of Education
But the Queensland education department said there was not a department-wide review into student behaviour.
A spokesperson said "Queensland principals have absolute discretionary authority to suspend or exclude any student who poses a serious risk of harm to others" without seeking approval from the department.
However, the education department said that it has begun consultation about how "school-level behaviour reviews in some schools may be implemented in the future".
Queensland Teachers' Union vice president Leah Olsson said school leaders were reporting that student disciplinary absences have been reviewed by the education department for the past six to twelve months.
"So what they're doing is they're actually calling the school principals and asking for an explanation on why that student has been suspended … and are there any other avenues in a way to keep that child at school, " she said.
"They need to ensure that a school leaders' judgement is actually not overturned or reviewed, and they are trusting their professional discretion for ensuring a healthy and safe workplace."
Ms Olsson said schools use suspensions as the "very, very last resort".
"Schools, no matter what, should not be expected to accept any violent behaviour or any behaviour which jeopardises the health and safety of students and our members," she said.
The union is calling for better resourcing in schools to prevent, manage and respond to poor behaviour, instead of the behaviour reviews.
Department says strategy strengthens support
The education department of education said under its new Equity and Excellence strategy it is strengthening the support it gives to schools around student behaviour.
"This means backing principals to make the best decisions where suspensions and exclusions are considered the last resort, not the first," the spokesperson said.
"It also means prioritising the welfare and wellbeing of all staff and students by creating a teaching and learning environment that is safe, disciplined and respectful."
The department said there is a focus on addressing the "disproportionately high" number of suspensions issued to First Nations students and pupils with a disability.
"We know that our students, particularly those most at risk, need more education, not less," the spokesperson said.
"It is a more proactive approach to student behaviour, where learning is maximised, attendance rates improve, and SDAs are not needed to be used as often.
"Student behaviour that threatens or physically harms our school staff, other students, or members of the community is unacceptable, and will be addressed appropriately."
Queensland Human Rights Commissioner Scott McDougall said school suspensions certainly limited a child's right to education, but the question is whether that limitation is justified.
"What concerns me is that we've seen in recent years a rapid expansion on the use of suspension when there are much better ways of dealing with behaviour of children and supporting teachers so there are win-win outcomes for everyone," he said.
"Obviously teachers and students are absolutely entitled to personal safety and that should be a number one concern.
"When we do have to actually take that drastic action we need to make sure that principals make alternative arrangements for the education of that child rather than just dumping them from the system."
Queensland Opposition spokesman Christian Rowan said rather than comprehensively addressing the root causes of suspensions and expulsions, the state government "was more focused on manipulating data to solve a political problem".
"The state government needs to listen to principals, teachers, and parents, and ensure that supports and evidence-based solutions are implemented to improve student behaviour, as a matter of priority in our schools," Dr Rowan said.
