Answers to Questions

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

170 The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (24 September 2008). Can the Minister for Education advise:

1. What has been the incidence rate of reports of assault or serious threat to safety of teachers, principals and school services officers, for the last five reporting years?

2. To what extent or trend, statistically or anecdotally, has the use of firearms (real or imitation) featured in these incidents?

3. What has been the cost in time spent off work, or in weekly and lump sum payments from WorkCover, as a consequence of these incidents?

4. How much has the state government spent, or intends to spend, on addressing this issue in South Australian public schools?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy): The Minister for Education has provided the following information:

1. Department of Education and Children's Services' (DECS) has provided the following advice:

A summary of the DECS critical incidents records reported by schools, which have indicated threatened and actual assault or serious threats to the safety of teachers, principals and school services officers, is summarised as follows:

Reports of threatened and actual assault or serious threats to safety of teachers, principals and school services officers

In recent times, DECS and SA Police have actively encouraged schools to report all incidents, no matter how minor.

As a result, there has been an overall increase in the number of incidents reported by schools to DECS, corresponding with an increase in this particular category.

The government has strategies and initiatives in place to address violence in schools and their communities, including:

A Coalition to Decrease Bullying, Harassment and Violence in South Australian schools which takes a lead role on providing the government with advice on these issues.

Schools liaise closely with local police and immediately call for assistance if an incident occurs that threatens staff or student safety.

Earlier this year, DECS and SA Police took a road show across the State to provide principals with updated support materials and expert advice on maintaining school safety.

Intruder regulations introduced in 2004 give police and principals the power to refuse entry, evict and ban people who behave in a violent, offensive or threatening manner.

Schools will use suspension and exclusion measures where required. In extreme cases, students can be sent to learning centres.

All government schools are required to have a behaviour code and anti-bullying policy. These polices are negotiated through each school's governing council.

Teachers on yard duty have been issued with mobile phones so police can be called in the event of a schoolyard incident.

School Care staff provide ongoing advice to schools about safety and security.

2. There has been no use of real firearms featuring in the reported incidents above and only one (1) involving the use of an imitation firearm.

3. Information relating to the cost in time spent off work or in weekly and lump sum payments from WorkCover as a consequence of the incidents is not available. DECS receives separate notification for all incidents that may result in Workers Compensation claims.

4. In addition to the strategies outlined in Question 1, the State Government provides funding for a wide range of preventative programs that support the management of this issue within schools. Examples include:

$10 million over four years for a five-part student behaviour management program. This program includes a training package 'Your Classroom: Safe, Orderly and Productive', with training for 2000 classroom teachers (initially targeting teachers in their first five years). There is also funding for schools to bring in experts when the issues are beyond the expertise of school and district education officers.

Annual funding totalling $3 million last year that support programs for students who demonstrate behavioural, social and emotional difficulties. This support ranges from short-term modified educational programs in learning centres to intensive long-term support plans and implementation for students with extreme behavioural, social and emotional difficulties.

$800,000 per year for the Challenging Behaviours program. This program provides salary support to schools so students who demonstrate behavioural difficulties can be supported according to their individual needs. Schools use the funding in a range of ways, for example, one-on-one support to teach anger management and development of social skills or staff training in supporting students with complex needs.

$6 million over five years to provide security fencing at up to 35 State schools. Schools experiencing issues with intruders and those at greatest risk of after-hours arson and vandal attacks are being targeted.

Security guards are provided on a needs basis to prevent or minimise the threat of violence or serious threats to safety ($40,000 per annum).

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: There are only 1,742 answers to go!

The PRESIDENT: I also direct the Leader of the Opposition to cease interjecting.