The PSA has long campaigned for the three Ps. In 2019, the first of these – Paid – was won when the Pay Equity decision was handed down in favour of staff in schools. The second – Permanent – was won at last year’s election even before a vote was cast, when both parties agreed with the PSA on the need to give school staff secure roles.

Now it is time for members to be Protected.

Although working in schools to provide a safe environment for students to learn in is an extremely rewarding job, there is also an unfortunate, contrary set of circumstances that can go with this. Too many PSA members are subjected to violence and threatening behaviour in their workplace.

A recent survey conducted by the PSA for School Learning Support Officers revealed some very sobering facts concerning violence against our members in schools. Thirty per cent of incidents reported happened on a daily basis. There were high rates of verbal abuse, physical assaults and incidents involoving objects or weapons.

Half of PSA members have been involved in a whole-school lockdown in the past 12 months. These statistics are hardly what anyone could consider reasonable for any workplace.

Talking to Delegates and members, it’s clear that our members are on the wrong end of a very complex problem. Considering the seriousness of these issues, members report that there are few consequences for the children behaving this way. And further, although teachers are of course on the receiving end of this behaviour as well, it is our members who routinely cop the “what did you do to provoke this behaviour?” from school executives.

There is much collateral damage involved in these incidents as well. Although most students are not violent or verbally aggressive, all students who witness this behaviour are affected. Particularly if they witness a physical assault. There is always a pall of anxiety in classrooms and other school areas where violence has taken place. And of course, where there is workers’ compensation involved, there are the complexities of dealing with this: time off work – creating extra work for colleagues – reduced pay while recovering, and the arduousness of return-to-work programs. The Public Service Association is always there to support members through this; but it would be much better if those at the top did more to address these situations earlier, and more seriously.   

Societal attitudes towards public education must change – or at least become more positive. Of course, every child is entitled to an education; however, public schools cannot be taken for granted. Our public schools staff provide a valuable service to society and deserve to be treated as valuable. The Federal Government needs to fund public schools far more effectively, and with the same enthusiasm with which it funds private schools. And the NSW Education Department must start providing more protective measures for our members. Training for staff – which our members have requested – must

be provided, as well as the same level

of respect that school executives expect to receive from students, parents, and the community.