As Education Minister Roger Jeansch marks the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence today he should reflect on his government's record high number of suspensions in Tasmanian schools last year and appalling lack of support for students needing help.
Tasmanian students are waiting too long to see school support staff, with often disastrous results for their mental health, learning and engagement.
Responding to questions on notice from budget estimates this year, Education Minister Roger Jaensch confirmed that average wait times for school support staff have risen to an alarming 168 days to see a school psychologist, 27 days for an intervention and 183 days to see a speech pathologist.
The ratio of students per full-time equivalent school psychologists is 1:801, for social workers it is 1:895 and for speech pathologists 1:697.
Tasmania is also on track for a record number of school suspensions this year, with 2,511 student suspensions recorded in Term 1 alone.
Considering the obvious shortfall in student support services, it is also little wonder schools are seeing students disengaging in education and engaging in activities which lead to suspensions.
These figures underline the minority Liberal government's neglect of Tasmania's young people, with average wait times for students to get the help and support they need continuing to rise.
There were a shocking 8,873 suspensions in Tasmanian schools last year - a record high number since the education act was introduced in 2017 and a 28 per cent increase in the last five years.
All students and staff deserve to feel safe at school, yet years of poor government support and leadership is making this impossible.
If the situation in our schools isn't improving under 10 years Liberal Government, it never will.
Josh Willie MLC
Shadow Minister for Education & Early Years
