The PSA is continuing its campaign to improve safety for members working in NSW schools.

“Every day, our members in schools, particularly School Learning Support Officers, are punched, kicked, have desks and chairs thrown at them, and are verbally abused,” said Industrial Manager Siobhan Callinan.

“Not only is this a risk to staff, we need to think of the welfare of other students. We have reports of students cowering under desks during violent incidents in the classroom.
“This has a terrible impact on their learning.”

The PSA is urging the Department of Education to do more to protect its members in schools. In addition to violence, the union wants the Department to look at workload for its members.

“Six years ago, despite the wages cap implemented at the time, we won a substantial pay rise for members in schools,” said PSA General Secretary Stewart Little. “Then in 2023, we secured permanent roles for more than 8000