Assault, theft rife Help us, plead schools
25th February 2010
Author: John Masanauskas, education reporter
Publisher: News Ltd
Publication: Herald Sun, Page 8 (Mon 22 Feb 2010)
Keywords: Martin (1),Dixon (1)
Edition: 1 - FIRST
Section: NEWSAssault, theft rife Help us, plead schools
THOUSANDS of assaults, thefts and burglaries have been reported at state schools as principals call for more help from the Brumby Government to deal with violence.
Crimes included assaults on teachers by students, and even by parents.
More than 7000 crimes were reported by government schools over the past three years, according to figures obtained by the Herald Sun under Freedom of Information laws.
About half involved thefts and burglaries; and 1500 assaults were reported.
Arson, property damage, fraud and breach of trespass orders were among others.
Several teachers at Benalla College were assaulted by students, according to a report commissioned by the Education Department last year.
Police also investigated an incident at another school in which a parent headbutted a principal after discussing a student's behaviour.
Australian Principals Federation president Fred Wubbeling said yesterday that violence was a factor stopping many teachers becoming principals.
``I think there is probably some intimidation felt that the Education Department doesn't support principals enough when it comes to dealing with troublesome students,'' he said.
Victorian Association of State Secondary Principals president Brian Burgess said assaults on teaching staff should attract harsher penalties, such as applied for attacks on paramedics.
``Violence is becoming more prevalent in society and that's reflected in schools,'' he said.
Opposition education spokesman Martin Dixon said: ``Parents and teachers expect schools to be safe places and principals must be given strong powers to deal with any criminal incident as quickly and as forcefully as possible.''
An Education Department spokesman said the data showed a decline of more than 10 per cent in crimes at government schools over the past three years.
He said there were alarms at about 95 per cent of the state's 1600 government schools; security contractors would respond to alarms immediately and there was an arrangement that police would respond to them as a top priority.
``These latest figures are a positive sign that these security measures are working well,'' he said.
``Damage to schools and theft of school property affects students' learning and is an imposition on the school community. The Department will continue its work in attempting to reduce such incidences through security measures.''
Notice Board
Parliament of Victoria
Live Broadcast
Subscribe
Want to keep up to date with the latest from Martin? Subscribe to our newsletter...
Enrol to Vote
Your vote will help shape Victoria's future, click here to enrol.
Survey
Take the time to complete our survey to let Martin know the issues which are of concern to you.
Contact Martin
Martin Dixon MP
State Member for Nepean
Shop 1, McCrae Plaza
Cnr Lonsdale Street and Pt Nepean Road
McCRAE VIC 3938
Phone: (61) 3 5986 6661
Fax: (61) 3 5981 1360
Email: martin.dixon@parliament.vic.gov.au