Education Shadow Josh Willie, a former primary school teacher, says the education system runs the risk of collapse if principals and teachers continue to be assaulted and abused.
To read that 38 per cent of Tasmanian school leaders were subjected to physical violence in 2022 and 56 per cent were threatened with violence is astounding*.
The teaching profession is one of the most important in our society and this abuse cannot continue.
No wonder teachers are leaving the profession in droves and that principals are retiring early.
The report also points to the sheer quantity of work and the lack of time to focus on teaching and learning as a major stress.
It also found that mental health issues of students and staff are at their highest since the establishment of the survey.
Tasmania has the worst education outcomes of any state in Australia and Labor is keen to work with the AEU and the Principals Association and other key stakeholders to ensure that teachers are cared for, that their well-being is paramount and they have great working conditions.
At the present time the state government doesn't have the answers.
The report states that school leaders' well-being priorities should be part of their performance framework.
The health and well-being of employees is intrinsically linked to good performance.
*Australian Principal Occupational Health Safety and Wellbeing Survey 2022 Data report, p31
